COVID CASES GOTHROUGH THE ROOF. . .
419 new infections in October already
The number of coronavirus cases in Renfrewshire as increased six-fold in the past week as dozens of people continue to flout restrictions. A total of 419 new Covid -19 c cases have been confirmed in the local authority area in the first ten days of October.
There were just 58 in the last week of September.
To date 1,593 people in Renfrewshire have been diagnosed with the virus.
The figures reflect the increased testing being carried out, but dwarf the 329 cases recorded for the whole month of April when Renfrewshire was gripped by the pandemic.
The sharp increase has been dubbed “worrying” by Neil Bibby MSP after public health officials warned illegal social gatherings are continuing to contribute to the spread of the virus in Renfrewshire.
Mr Bibby, Labour MSP for the West of Scotland, said: “These latest figures are worrying and show the virus is spreading again here in Renfrewshire.
“We all have a responsibility to act but it is the responsibility of government to have a plan.
“There have already been restrictions in Renfrewshire and
Three Paisley schools are the latest among many in Renfrewshire at the centre of Covid-19 cases.
St John Ogilvie and St Fergus’ primaries and the Mary Russell School for youngsters with additional support needs have also now been affected.
An alert put out by health bosses on Sunday initially revealed St John Ogilvie, in Paisley’s Seedhill, was at the centre of a Test and Protect operation.
Shortly afterwards it was also announced the Mary Russell school, not far away in Hawkhead, and St Fergus’ in Ferguslie Park, are also involved.
A whole raft of schools now have cases and this includes a cluster at St Andrew’s Academy, which has 22 cases.
Though St John Ogilvie is now closed unt i l next Tuesday as part of the October holidays, close contacts of those affected are being tracked down.
There are only seven classes and just under 200 pupils at the school.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde did not reveal if it is pupils, staff or a mixture of both who are involved.
Linda de Caestecker, director of Public Health, said contact tracing is underway at all three schools.
Of St John Ogilvie, she said: “Working closely with the school and local authority, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has carried out a careful risk assessment to establish a list of close contacts.
“All close contacts are being advised to self-isolate as a precaution and being given appropriate advice and support.
“Robust control measures are in place at the school, and there is currently no evidence of transmission within the school itself.”
The three join Castlehead and Gleniffer high schools in Paisley, St Benedict’s High in Linwood, and primaries Mossvale and Ralston in Paisley, and Kirklandneuk, in Renfrew, to have cases in the last week.
Earlier positive cases were linked to Paisley Grammar, Johnstone High, Gryffe High, St Anthony’s Primary in Johnstone, Wallace Primary in Elderslie, Rashielea Primary in Erskine and St James’ Primary in Renfrew.
The first case identified at a school in Renfrewshire was one of the first in Scotland.
A pupil tested positive at Todholm Primary in Paisley. That was back on August 17.