Covid cluster linked to pubs in Highland town still growing

The number of coronavirus cases linked to people frequenting pubs in a Highland town has risen to 62.

NHS Highland said its health protection team had been notified of further cases as part of an outbreak in Fort William.

It continues to be the case that a large proportion of the cases are linked to people who visited Sunny’s Sports Bar on Saturday, May 22.

But anyone who visited a pub in Fort William that day is being asked to remain vigilant for symptoms and told they should consider taking a PCR test.

NHS Highland is also reminding people in the area that close contacts must isolate even if they receive a negative test result.

Dr Jenny Wares, consultant in public health medicine with NHS Highland, said: “This is a significant outbreak and we expect the case numbers to rise further. Please continue to follow all guidance from NHS Highland’s contact tracing team. If you have been identified as a close contact, please self-isolate and get a PCR test.

“If you are identified as a close contact and your test is negative you must continue to isolate for 10 days as advised.

“The community should also remain vigilant for the symptoms of Covid-19. The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell (anosmia).

“However, people with Covid-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting. Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.

“Thanks to the local community for their support during this outbreak. We’d also like to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their support during this time. The station at Fort William extended their hours to allow for more testing and have been a great support.”

A mobile testing unit that offers PCR testing has been set up in the Fort William Shinty Club car park.

Separately, there is a cluster of 20 cases linked to a small number of social gatherings in the popular tourist resort of Aviemore.

NHS Highland says contact tracing is ongoing in the area, adding that cases and their contacts are self-isolating for ten days.