Clacks spike warning
People across Clackmannanshire are being urged to do everything possible to protect themselves and others following a spike in cases of Covid-19 over the last few weeks.
Forth Valley Health Board area has the sixth highest rates of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Scotland.
While previously rates in the Stirling and Falkirk Council areas were significantly higher than the Wee County, this has now reversed.
Recent figures show Clacks has 159 cases per 100,000 people compared with 115 in Falkirk and 81 in Stirling.
The increase in cases in the Clackmannanshire area was discussed at a NHS Forth Valley meeting as part of an update on the local Test and Protect service and ongoing service remobilisation plans, ahead of a new national strategic framework to vary not only by health board but also by individual council area to take account of different levels of Covid-19 in communities.
NHS FV director of public health Dr Graham Foster said:“the recent increase in Covid-19 cases is very concerning and we are seeing increasing levels of household and community transmission across the Clackmannanshire area.
“This is also affecting many local schools and businesses and we are also seeing an increase in hospital admissions of people with Covid-19 from across the Forth Valley, including a number of seriously ill patients who require intensive care.
“I would urge everyone in Clackmannanshire to take steps to protect themselves and help stop the further spread of this virus locally. Stay two metres apart from others, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly, wear a face covering in busy public or communal areas and try to have as few close contacts as you can. Taking these steps will significantly reduce the risk and also help avoid further restrictions.”
The plea from NHS FV has cross-party support at Clackmannanshire Council. Council Leader, Ellen Forson, said:“everyone has worked so hard over the last seven months and it’s so important we all continue to pull together to do all we can to combat Covid-19 which is on the rise in Clackmannanshire. In order to keep us all safe, the Scottish Government has published the five protection levels for Scotland. I’d recommend everyone familiarises themselves with the new levels so they know what they can and can’t do to help keep everyone in our community safe. Anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 should self-isolate immediately along with members of their household and book a test as soon as possible online via www.nhsinform. scot/test-and-protect or call 0800 028 2816.”