Tougher restrictions needed ‘to bring down Covid infection rates’

The spread of Covid-19 is putting severe strain on local health and social care services, it was claimed yesterday.

NHS Fife chairwoman Tricia Marwick said the region’s move into Tier 3 should serve as a stark warning to follow the Scottish Government guidance to bring down infection rates and protect hospitals and staff as well as the wider public.

Mrs Marwick said the Public Health team had been closely monitoring the data and had seen a sustained increase in infections.

“It is therefore vital that we now act quickly and decisively to suppress the transmission rate of the virus across Fife, to save lives and protect frontline services,” she said.

Mrs Marwick said the Tier 3 measures put in place across much of the central belt last month were already having an impact.

“We will closely monitor the situation with the Scottish Government and review the decision again regularly,” she said.

“To protect our loved ones, our staff and our hospitals, it is vitally important that everyone takes responsibility to follow Scottish Government guidance.”

Dr Emma F l e t c h e r, NHS Tayside’s director of public health, said the extra restrictions were vital to stopping the infect ion spread ing further.

“We are already seeing a n e n c o u r a g i n g improvement in Dundee’s position since the level three measures came in last week and hopeful that we similar results Tayside over the weeks,” she said.

“Our priority is to reduce the direct impact of the virus on our health, to reduce the number of people who will experience long-term effects from the infec tion, and to save lives.

“If we can suppress the virus, our other health and social care services can also continue.”

NHS Tayside medical director Professor Peter Stonebridge said he wanted to reassure people that health services are open for business despite the new restrictions.

“Essential travel for health is permitted under the new regulations and our staff are ready to care for the people of Tayside,” he said.

“Please attend hospital and o the r hea l th appointments as usual.”

Earlier, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the Scottish Government had purchased at least 20 large “fridges” capable of storing the vaccine.

The first minister said the news was “the best” she had been able to deliver since the beginning of the pandemic , with the inoculation improving the chances of being able “to come out the other side by spring”.

Scottish Conservative Ho l y r o o d leader Ru t h Davidson said: “News of this vaccine is promising and while it’s still early days, we need to ensure we have a fully-fledged delivery programme ready to deploy in every part of the country.” we are will see across coming

NHS Fife chairwoman Tricia Marwick.