Covid cluster linked to Aberdeen pub rises to 32 cases

The number of Covid-19 cases linked to a pub in Aberdeen city centre has risen to 32, as 120 close contacts are identified.

NHS Grampian said the number of positive tests arising from an outbreak at The Hawthorn Bar in Holburn Street has increased by five since Monday.

It has also identified 120 close contacts linked to the cluster and warned more may be detected.

The pub said the outbreak was linked to customers who visited on July 26.

Dr Emmanuel Okpo, consultant in public health medicine, said: “I know this is a concerning time for people in Grampian.

“I want to stress again that only people with symptoms of Covid-19 should arrange a test.

“Getting a ‘not-detected’ result when you do not have symptoms does not mean that you are ‘safe’ as the virus can take several days to develop.

“It also does not mean that you can avoid self-isolation if you are identified as a close contact of a detected case.”

NHS Grampian said it is aware some bars in Aberdeen have announced their intention to close.

Among the venues to take that decision is the city’s Soul Bar, owned by PB Devco, after discovering someone who had tested positive had visited the premises.

Stuart Clarkson, director, said: “In response to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Aberdeen, and the rapidly growing number of increased cases being reported in the news, we have made the decision to close Soul and all the PB Devco venues with immediate effect until we feel safe to reopen.

“As soon as we heard someone who had tested positive had visited Soul, we immediately sought advice and followed the guidance of the Government, NHS and Track and Trace.

“However, we feel we now need to take the situation into our own hands to help limit the spread of the virus, as these are unprecedented times and things are escalating quickly.”