Top 10 Covid hotspot areas
The Dalmilling area of Ayr has become South Ayrshire’s major COVID- 19 ‘ hotspot,’ according to a new report.
Th district recorded more cases of the killer virus than any other area during a recent study.
Ayr North councillor Ian Cavana, who contracted the virus , admitted he’s “concerned” about the figures.
The Post can reveal how the district recorded more cases of the killer virus than any other area during a recent study.
And one Ward Councillor for the area, who recently tested positive for COVID- 19 along with his wife, is convinced that deprivation is a factor.
Labour Councillor Ian Cavana admitted he’s “concerned” about the figures and worried about the effect it has on single people having to isolate during the pandemic.
He told The Post: “This raises real concern for everybody.
“As a young boy, I was brought up in Dalmilling so I know the area very well.
“If we look at the statistics over Scotland this is disturbing for Councillors all over the country as deprived areas seem to have higher cases of Covid- 19.
“I know how some of these people feel as both myself and wife tested positive for the virus and know how having to isolate can be demoralising for some people, especially people who are on their own.”
According to the report, published by Public Health Scotland, Dalmilling, which has 2,950 residents, registered South Ayrshire’s highest number of positive new cases- 19- over the period covering Monday, November 2 and Sunday, November 8.
A previous study showed that Alloway and Doonfoot registered 26 positive cases between 31 October and 6 November, while, at the time, Dalmilling’s new cases stood at 23.
And while the numbers of new cases in those areas do show decreases from the previous study, major concerns remain over the safety of the public in all local areas flagged up by the report.
Fellow Dalmilling Ward Councillor Laura Brennan- Whitefield, of the SNP, is urging people in the area to continue to follow government guidelines as it attempts to halt the spread of the virus.
She said: “This Covid pandemic has been a difficult and stressful time for many people in our community, it is a constantly changing picture and I would urge people to follow public health guidance in order to help keep everyone safe.”
Wor ryingly, the Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton area was not too far behind Dalmilling, according to the report.
Over the November 2 to November 8 reporting period, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton registered 15 positive new cases within its 5829 population.
Ward 6 Councillor for the SNP, Julie Dettbarn, said: “I am not a public health professional so it would be inappropriate for me to attempt to comment on the causes of specific local outbreaks.
“However, I’ve followed the PHS Dashboard carefully and can see that ‘ The Coalfields’ neighbourhood has reported weekly cases in the 14- 19 range since mid- October.
“Over the same period there was a high spike in cases in the neighbouring Earlston and Hurlford Rural area.
“It is particularly disheartening to see fingers being pointed at a specific village, when the evidence perhaps appears to suggest a wider, more rural spread.
“The First Minister confirmed on Tuesday [ last week] that South Ayrshire will remain, for now, at Protection Level 3. However, South Ayrshire is one of the Level 3 regions where rising cases were causing particular concern.
“We must all do everything we each can possibly do now to control the spread of the virus and avoid having to move to the severe restrictions of Level 4; to save lives and protect jobs and local businesses.
“That’s really down to the choices each and every one of us make in the coming days and weeks; by remaining vigilant, sticking faithfully to the rules, the FACTS guidance and carefully considering all of our own actions.”
Fellow Kyle ward Councillor Arthur Spurling, of the Scottish Conservatives, said the public “cannot be complacent with this type of virus.”
But he also warned that anyone flouting the current restrctions should face the wrath of the judicial system.
He told the Post: “Advice that is given by medical experts MUST be followed, to not do so is irresponsible and should be used as an example of what to expect if one is unwilling, by prosecution with fines, or even other means available to the Justice System.”
In another bitter blow to the region the Craigie, Holmston and Forehill areas of Ayr were also identified as areas of concern.
The Craigie area registered 13 over the same period, while Holmston and the Forehill areas, also registered 13.
Other areas which were flagged up in the report included the Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South area ( 10 positive new cases), Coylton ( 10), Maybole ( 10), Alloway and Doonfoot ( 9), Carrick North ( 8) and Ayr South Harbour and Town Centre ( 7).
Nationally, over the same reporting period, the total number of positive new COVID cases in Scotland stood at 8259- with South Ayrshire’s total figures standing at 173.
Auchinleck registered 10 new cases over the same reporting period, while East Ayrshire’s total number of positive new cases- over the same period- was 222.
Troon and the Girvan Glendoune areas recorded zero new positive cases between November 2 and November 8.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has not ruled out “further action” if the spread is not reduced at the next review. That could mean some areas moving into tier 4 category- the highest level of restrictions- if there’s no sign of a slowdown in the virus.