CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Health bosses tackle cluster after 7 staff test positive

‘There’s been very little effort made’

A CALL centre responsible for tracing the contacts of Covid-19 victims is believed to have been hit by an outbreak of the virus.

At least seven people are thought to have tested positive at the office near Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, which is dedicated to stopping transmission of the disease on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Health chiefs are now trying to stop the cluster from growing , as Scotland recorded its highest daily number of new cases in nearly a month.

There were 23 confirmed positive tests, up from 21 on Saturday and the fifth consecutive daily rise. Yesterday’s total was the highest number of new cases since 26 were recorded on June 21.

Meanwhile, the latest count of suspected cases in care homes also increased.

On July 18, there were 23 new reports of coronavirus symptoms, the highest figure for more than a fortnight. However, there were no new deaths and the number of hospital patients battling the virus in intensive care dropped to only four – the lowest figure since lockdown began.

The suspected outbreak at the NHS test and trace call centre, run by DHSC, came only hours after Nicola Sturgeon spoke out about fears of a fresh cluster.

On Twitter yesterday, the First Minister said the new surge in Covid-19 diagnoses ‘is still a low number of cases – and fluctuation is to be expected – but they will all be carefully examined so that any patterns are identified.

‘Test & Protect [the Scottish Government’s contact tracing scheme] is also working to break the chains of transmission.’

However, shortly afterwards, NHS Lanarkshire public health consultant Dr David Cromie admitted: ‘We became aware this morning of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire.

‘We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.’

It is believed the outbreak is at a call centre at the Eurocentral industrial estate, next to the M8, where contact tracers work for the DHSC.

A source at the centre said around 50 people work in contact tracing on the building’s ground floor, while around 250 other workers are on the floors above, taking calls for another company.

They said the building was shut on Saturday and remains closed for deep cleaning.

The source said: ‘The contact tracers aren’t allowed to share the canteen because of data protection, but anyone can use the toilets on their floor and everyone uses the same doors.’

A Strathclyde University report last month highlighted poor social distancing and hygiene measures at NHS call centres in Scotland. Last night, a source in

another call centre in Lanarkshire said: ‘After the failings were made public, there were some extra measures put in place, but it hasn’t made much difference.

‘There’s been very little effort made to arrange desks in a way that keeps people two metres apart. I am not surprised there’s been an outbreak in one of these call centres.’

It comes as the Scottish Government faces fresh criticism over the volume of tests being carried out.

NHS Scotland labs have the capacity for 30,000 swabs a day, yet less than 4,000 are being done on average and the figure dropped to 2,771 yesterday. Last week, only 39 per cent of care home staff received a test, even though ministers have promised that all would get one.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: ‘Without conducting tests on as many people as possible we cannot truly know the prevalence of the virus in Scotland. For months we have been warned about the potential for asymptomatic transmission of the virus and, as such, testing only those that present with symptoms will inevitably lead to continued transmission.

‘The testing capacity that Scotland now has is substantial. There can be no excuse for not using this capacity to keep the people of Scotland safe.’

The Scottish Government said more than 66,000 tests were carried out in Scotland last week, including those under the UK programme. It said the 23 care home suspected cases were spread across a number of health board areas, so were not a cluster.

A spokesman said: ‘The number of tests is based on how many people come forward with symptoms.

‘However, it is essential to have spare capacity in case of local outbreaks or a resurgence of the virus. We have significantly expanded the care home testing programme, including the launch of the Social Care Portal and mobile testing units.

‘For various reasons, including annual leave, sick leave and rota patterns, around 20 to 30 per cent of care home staff may not be in work to be tested at any one time.

‘We have also introduced strengthened clinical oversight to help keep care home residents and workers safe.’

Across the UK yesterday there were 726 new cases and 27 deaths.