NHSTayside thanks locals as Covid patients reduce

NHS Tayside had just one Covid-positive patient in hospital last week.

Director of public health Dr Emma Fletcher thanked the Perth and Kinross public for their support and urged residents to continue following the guidance.

The health board recently confirmed hospital Covid cases had been fewer than five for a few weeks now, but added the figure changes on a daily basis.

And, as of Monday this week, NHS Tayside had one Covid-positive patient within its premises.

This compares to a peak of 189 patients on January 16, 2020.

Dr Fletcher said: “I am delighted to report that we continue to make excellent progress against Covid-19 in Tayside. Incidence rates remain low.”

She added: “Over 60 per cent of the adult population have now received their first dose of the Covid vaccination and over 30 per cent have completed their full course and received two doses.

“Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce deaths and severe illness from Covid-19 and ease our way out of this pandemic together.

“It’s great that so many people have now received the vaccine but remember a sizable proportion of the population still hasn’t. And therefore it is crucial that all of us still continue to follow the guidance whether you have had the vaccine or not.”

Dr Fletcher said anyone feeling under the weather but not showing any of the classic symptoms could be tested at one of the community sites by visiting www.taysidecares.co.uk to be on the safe side.