Covid cluster at hotel linked to Christmas entertainers

A coronavirus cluster at a hotel in the Highlands has been linked to a group of Christmas entertainers at the resort.

The health board said it had become aware of seven cases of Covid-19 at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort relating to entertainers who had been working at the hotel over the past week.

NHS Highland’s health protection team has undertaken a case follow-up in accordance with national guidance.

Contact tracing is currently being carried out, with all those identified as close contacts being advised to self-isolate.

NHS Highland has written to all guests and staff who have stayed or worked at the resort over the past week to advise them what to do if they develop symptoms.

Dr Tim Allison, director of public health with NHS Highland, said: “We appreciate that this will be causing anxiety within the residents of the resort, staff and wider community and we are working closely with the Highland Council’s environmental health team and the resort management to provide advice and guidance to residents, staff and their families.

“At this time we have no evidence of wider community spread.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the virus does circulate even in rural communities and so everyone should continue to adhere to physical distancing guidelines, wear a face-covering when in enclosed spaces, clean your hands and surfaces regularly, and immediately self-isolate and seek a test if you develop symptoms.”