Perthshire Advertiser

Tragic toll now 290 after new COVID death

Seven areas see high infection rate

- ROBBIE CHALMERS

Another COVIDrelat­ed death has been recorded in Perth and Kinross as positive cases continue to slowly rise.

According to the National Records of Scotland (NRS) the individual passed away last week taking the overall number of coronaviru­slinked deaths in the region to 290.

Public Health Scotland figures also highlight that the COVID-19 infection rate in the region has began to rise again.

In the week ending Sunday, October 24 the seven day infection rate was 325.9 per 100,000 after 495 positive cases.

That marks a rise from 262 per 100,000 and 398 positive cases the week prior, with the percentage of positive tests increasing from 7.9 per cent to 9.1 per cent.

Seven neighbourh­oods are currently recording high infection rates of over 400 per 100,000 people.

Moncreiffe and Friarton’s infection rate has surged to the highest in the region by far at 1056.8 per 100,000.

It is followed by Muirton (605.6), Viewlands, Craigie and Wellshill (450.1), Kinross (420), Crieff South (414.4), Blairgowri­e West (407.1), and Blairgowri­e East (403.4).

The North Inch area in Perth currently has the lowest infection rate over last week with fewer than three cases.

The latest statistics come as 60 to 69- year- olds and people aged 16 and over with an underlying health condition are being invited for their booster jabs.

NHS Tayside is moving into the next phase of its vaccinatio­n programme with letters being issued (and arriving over the next week) to people in these next priority groups to attend for their COVID and flu vaccinatio­n appointmen­ts at their local community vaccinatio­n centre.

Associate director of public health Dr Daniel

Chandler said: “So far in Tayside we have delivered more t ha n 1 3 6 , 0 0 0 COVID boosters, flu jabs and third doses for people who are severely immunosupp­ressed.

“This is in addition to the 626,000 first and second COVID vaccines given since the beginning of the programme in December 2020.

“Our teams will be delivering more than 600,000 COVID and flu vaccinatio­ns between September and December, in community vaccinatio­n cent res, hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and patient’s homes.

“That’s an average of around 40,000 vaccinatio­ns per week across Tayside.

“We are making great progress in immunising those who are most at risk and thank everyone for their patience as we work our way through the priority groups.

“Everyone who is eligible will be offered a vaccinatio­n when it is their turn, so please don’t worry if you haven’t had an invite yet.

“Remember COVID boosters can only be given a minimum of six months since your second dose so you will be invited once you approach this date.”

 ?? ?? Doses NHS Tayside is moving into the next phase of its vaccinatio­n programme
Doses NHS Tayside is moving into the next phase of its vaccinatio­n programme

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