Concern over 'serious and escalating' Covid outbreak on Barra

Health chiefs have described a Covid outbreak on the Isle of Barra as “serious and escalating” after a further 17 cases were recorded.

The total number of positive cases linked to the outbreak has reached 27 with more than 110 people self-isolating.

The number of people self-isolating represents about a tenth of the island’s population.

An Incident Management Team (IMT) met on Saturday to discuss the “escalating situation”.

As well as urging those with symptoms to self-isolate “immediately” and book a Covid-19 test, NHS Western Isles is also advising islanders to avoid using items “of high levels of contact”, for example cash machines.

In a video posted on Twitter on Friday, NHS Western Isles chief executive Gordon Jamieson urged locals to limit contact with others.

15/1/21: Latest update from NHSWI Chief Exec Gordon Jamieson. There have been 17 cases of #COVID19 today on #Barra with more tests going through the system. Total: 27. This is a serious situation with the number of cases escalating quickly and over 110 close contacts identified pic.twitter.com/mK9ikv96vW
— NHS Western Isles (@NHSWI) January 15, 2021

He said: “Today we have had 17 new cases of Covid-19 here in the Western Isles.

“These new positive cases are on Barra and that takes the total number of cases currently associated with this outbreak to 27.

‘This outbreak and the number of people affected – with over 110 people now in self-isolation – represents a significant proportion of the population on Barra and this is an escalating and serious situation.’
NHS Western Isles chief executive Gordon Jamieson

“A number of tests are still going through the system and further tests will be taken from members of the population tomorrow [Saturday].

“This outbreak and the number of people affected – with over 110 people now in self-isolation – represents a significant proportion of the population on Barra and this is an escalating and serious situation.

“We must suppress and contain this virus as quickly as possible. Please limit your household contact and take every precaution you can to protect yourself as your community.”