SNP MP calls for test, trace and isolate plan to come to Hebrides first
An SNP MP has called for a test, trace, isolate (TTI) policy for tackling Covid-19 to be implemented in the Hebrides immediately.
The Scottish Government has announced plans for the strategy to be in place across Scotland by the end of this month. He suggested the Western Isles were an ideal location to pilot the policy.
In a post on his website, Angus Macneil wrote: “We should be testing, tracing and isolating in the islands now as our confirmed Covid-19 numbers are so low and we can keep them low with test, trace and isolate.
“It is argued that test, trace, isolate can’t work in other places because the reinfection rate is so high.
“Fortunately in the Hebrides we still have the ideal situation to stay ahead of the virus by testing and tracing.”
His comments come after 30 residents and 27 staff at a care home in Skye tested positive for the virus, with one resident later dying.
Mr Macneil said: “Fortunately in the Hebrides we still have the ideal situation to stay ahead of the virus by testing and tracing.
“We have already seen in Skye what lockdown alone, without testing, has resulted in.
“A sad and shocking 54-case outbreak and this is only what has been found at a care home, who knows what the wider numbers will be?”
During her daily briefing, the First Minister said a TTI policy will not be in place until the end of the month.
Nicola Sturgeon said the strategy will be most effective when infection rates are “lower than now”, although she could not say how low rates would have to be.
In a paper released by the Scottish Government, it noted daily testing capacity will need to get to 15,500 before a TTI strategy can be effective.
Mr Macneil said: “We surely now have to move to a position where we are chasing the virus and not waiting for the virus to come to us.
“At the moment we are blind and we do not want to wait until we have an outbreak as we have sadly seen in Skye, we do need to change the policy now.
“I have written to the health secretary and await a response.”