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Is covid on way back?

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By Fiona Reid
Front
Is covid on  way back?

CORONAVIRUS is emerging again across the region with 270 positive cases in the last week and a school shut as a result.

Parents were called to collect children from Hottsbridge Primary at Waterbeck on Wednesday after a member of staff fell ill.

It was closed for the day and reopened yesterday.

According to Public Health Scotland figures, there are currently cases of coronavirus right across Dumfries and Galloway but the hotspots are Langholm and Eskdale with 15 cases; 12 in Moffat; Georgetown has 12 too; and nine in both Heathhall and in Calside.

On Sunday, there were 17 people in the region’s hospitals with the infection, up from five at the start of June.

And the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated that one in 40 people in Dumfries and Galloway had covid last week.

Furthermore, they have highlighted soaring numbers of cases among adults in their 30s and 40s.

Responding, a spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership yesterday said: “We are now moving towards Covid-19 being an endemic virus. We have been able to do this due to high uptake of the covid vaccine which affords excellent protection from the worst effects when all recommended doses have been given.”

“We may see surges possibly every three months or so, but through our vaccination uptake the worst effects of this can be mitigated.

“However, Covid-19 is still out there and can still make people unwell. Many people will now not know they have covid due to the changes in access to testing, it is therefore really important

that people continue to follow public health guidance to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities.”

He stressed the importance of recommended vaccination.

However, the spring booster clinics are being wound down and will close at the end June, as per Scottish Government guidance.

This is in order to prepare for co-administered flu and covid vaccinations to eligible groups in the autumn.

The NHS spokesman added: “We continue to provide evergreen vaccinations for 12-17 year olds who can contact the D&G Vaccination Call Centre on 01387 403090 to make an appointment.

“Anyone eligible who makes a decision to get a booster or first dose vaccination can also call the Vaccination Call Centre and they will be appointed. This reflects the national plan.”

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