Concern as rising number of people test positive but have no symptoms

An increasing number of people with no symptoms are testing positive for Covid-19 in Dundee, branded a “key cause for concern” by the city’s health officials.

Members of the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) were told yesterday the city must meet the changing threat of the virus head-on.

Officials undertook an exercise to assess their “readiness” for what is being deemed the second wave.

Chief officer Vicky Irons said the country is at a “key stage” of the pandemic with further announcements on restrictions being made this week.

She said: “I think it’s fair to say the presentation of Covid-19 across Dundee city is changing.

“We are detecting a number of people who are presenting as completely asymptomatic but are testing positive. That mirrors what is happening in other partnerships across Scotland.

“That for us is a key cause of concern in terms of our arrangements for moving forward.”

A command group from the partnership has been meeting twice per week for the last few months to oversee its role in the pandemic response.

It comes as Scottish Government officials hint Dundee could be hit with much tighter restrictions — such as the closure of pubs — to tackle rising case numbers.

Ms Irons added staff are ensuring ser vices are ready to deal with whichever tier the city finds itself in come November 2.

She said: “I’ve taken huge confidence from some of the outbreak arrangements that have been necessary over the last few weeks. We’ve responded well to a number of outbreaks across the city and have recovered our position in terms of the number of people with positive tests.

“But I think it’s fair to say that all of the early warning signs coming from our public health colleagues are that we are in for a particularly testing time ahead.

“We are ready to manage the next wave.”

Meanwhile, the meeting heard Dundee is continuing its battle to keep up with demand for flu vaccinations this year.

A report published last week raised concerns Covid-enforced logistical difficulties have combined with the highest- ever demand to limit the number of doses that can be administered.

The partnerships’ senior manager for service development and primary care, Shona Hyman, said Tayside is usually one of the last health boards to receive stock.