A cluster of 13 coronavirus cases linked to a pub in Aberdeen is under investigation by public health officials.
NHS Grampian has said the cases are associated with The Hawthorn Bar in the city centre.
All those who tested positive are showing only mild symptoms, though the health board says there may be further cases linked to the outbreak.
One man who caught the virus at the pub on July 26 spoke to STV News of his “daunting” experience and “an awful few days” of symptoms.
The bar had social distancing measures in place and contact tracing is being carried out in line with the Scottish Government’s test and protect scheme.
Dr Emmanuel Okpo, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Grampian, said: “Our health protection team are speaking to the confirmed cases, establishing who they have been in contact with and providing further advice on isolation and testing as required.
“We are also carrying out wider contact tracing work, as part of the Test and Protect scheme.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of detecting further cases linked to this cluster.”
He continued: “These cases highlight that Covid-19 still poses a real risk to all of us.
“We cannot emphasise enough the need for everyone to take all the necessary precautions to keep themselves and others safe.
“This means wearing a face covering when required, practising thorough hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding crowded places.
“This last point is vitally important as restaurants and pubs are opening up.
“If you arrive at a venue and you feel it’s too busy to observe physical distancing, then consider leaving.”
The pub, full name The Adams & The Hawthorn, issued a statement on Facebook saying the cases dated back to Sunday, July 26.
It added: “We were given approval from the local authority to continue trading with our measures in place and have cooperated fully.
“Our venue underwent further deep cleaning as well as ‘decontamination by fogging’.
“We assure all customers we have been and continue to do our utmost to protect their safety and we continue with strict rules and measures in place.
“We do ask all customers to be extra vigilant and adhere to our policies at ALL times.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and we wish them a speedy recovery.
“Please consider this is a very difficult time for us and we hope our customers continue to support us throughout.
“We have faith in the track and trace system and thank all customers for conforming.”
One of those infected with the virus at the Aberdeen pub told STV News of his experience.
The man was drinking in the Adam bar on July 26 and has since been taken to hospital where he tested positive for Covid 19.
He said: “I had an awful few days with my temperature and flu like symptoms but they have calmed down.”
“I was pretty sure I had it (coronavirus) though because my body was doing all sorts of things with my temperature. The whole thing was quite daunting.”
He is hoping to get out of hospital on Monday and he doesn’t plan on going to indoor pubs for a while.
However, he says he doesn’t blame the pub in any way as it’s “up to customers to abide by their rules”.
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