That is the warning being promoted across Dumfries and Galloway, amid concerns that many people may not be fully aware of the latest rules around self-isolation.
Director of public health Valerie White, pictured, said: “There have been a lot of changes to guidance lately, particularly relating to self-isolation after testing positive for covid, which can be confusing.
“To be extremely clear – you should not visit people in care homes, hospitals or prisons within ten days of symptoms starting or within ten days of the positive test result even if you don’t have symptoms, unless essential and agreed with staff in advance. You should also carefully consider meeting up with people who might be more vulnerable in this period.
“New rules in Scotland means someone can leave isolation if they don’t have a fever and test negative with an LFD on day six and again 24 hours later – but they are not meant to visit vulnerable people during the ten days and avoid large scale indoor mixing.
“They should limit close contact with people outside their household, especially in enclosed spaces, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces, not visit people in care homes, hospitals, prisons or other detention centres, and following the ten days they should continue to take part in twice weekly LFD testing.”
Meanwhile, many care homes continue to be affected by covid outbreaks with 102 cases now recorded in eight homes.
Health officials say they are continuing to work and support the operators of Allanbank Care Home in Dumfries which has had 14; Alma McFadyen House, Dalbeattie, seven cases; Annan Court Care Home, 24; Bankfoot House, Moffat, nine cases; Dryfemount Care Home, Lockerbie, 12 cases; Merse House, Kirkcudbright, 18 cases; Queensberry Care Home, Sanquhar, 13; and Abbey Gardens Care Home in Dumfries, five,
And they confirmed that in the last week two care home residents have died within 28 days of testing positive.
