Dundonians urged to get tested after surge in Covid cases

Dundee is now Scotland’s coronavirus hotspot with the city reporting the highest rate of cases of anywhere in the country in months.

NHS Tayside has pleaded with residents to get tested as cases of Covid-19 soared with more people being admitted to hospital.

There was a seven-day rate per 100,000 people of 263.2 on Tuesday, the highest of any area in recent months.

The health board’s director of public health said people must act quickly to break the chain of infections by making twice-weekly testing part of their regular routine.

Dr Emma Fletcher said: “This is a simple plea on behalf of us all here at NHS Tayside and our partner agencies – get tested.

“We know that some people who have the virus will have only mild symptoms or none at all, and that means people are spreading Covid-19 without knowing it every day. They are passing it on to loved ones, friends and out to the wider community.”

Dundee’s seven-day positive case rate per 100,000 people is the highest of any council area in Scotland since February 16, when East Ayrshire recorded a rate of 278.

Following the sharp rise in cases, there are even more concerns that the virus could spread even more if football fans mix during Euro 2020.

Dr Fletcher said: “If you are watching matches with family or friends, at home or in the pub, please stick to the limits of people and households for your area. Continue to wear a face covering, meet outside wherever possible, avoid crowded places, wash your hands regularly and most importantly, if you develop symptoms, isolate immediately, along with your household, and book a test.”

From next week, the health board will have set up additional testing sessions in Menzieshill and Douglas, as well as continued drop-ins at DISC and in the city centre.

Hundreds of Lateral Flow self-test kits are also being distributed to parents and carers at schools in areas where case rates are higher, and in City Square this weekend.

Dr Fletcher said: “Kirriemuir was a hotspot last week. We moved the testing units into the town and the community showed up in their hundreds to get tested. It worked. The chain of infection was broken, as people who turned out to be positive have isolated.”