Aberdeen bar cluster grows as 120 close contacts are identified

The number of coronavirus cases linked to a cluster in Aberdeen has risen by five, as the health service identifies 120 close contacts.

NHS Grampian said the number of positive tests arising from an outbreak at The Hawthorn Bar in Holburn Street now stands at 32, having been 27 on Monday.

It has also identified 120 close contacts linked to the cluster, but warned more may be detected.

The pub said the outbreak was linked to customers who visited on 26 July.

NHS Grampian said it is aware some bars in Aberdeen have announced their intention to close.

Among the venues to take that decision is the city’s Soul Bar, owned by PB Devco, after discovering someone who had tested positive had visited the premises. Stuart Clarkson, director, said: “In response to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Aberdeen, and the rapidly growing number of increased cases being reported, we have made the decision to close Soul and all the PB Devco venues with immediate effect until we feel safe to reopen.

“As soon as we heard someone who had tested positive had visited Soul, we immediately sought advice and followed the guidance of the Government, NHS and Track and Trace. However, we feel we now need to take the situation into our own hands to help limit the spread of the virus, as these are unprecedented times and things are escalating quickly.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that 23 people tested positive in the previous 24 hours.

While there were no Covid-19 hospital deaths for 19 days, the total number of cases continues to rise and now stands at 18,717, with 2,491 total fatalities.

Ms Sturgeon told employers that testing staff who are found to be close contacts of a positive case is not an alternative to self-isolation.

She warned the Scottish Government could consider placing a legal obligation on hospitality venues to gather contact information from customers.

When asked about a possible local lockdown, the First Minister said she is in discussions about further steps that could be taken but added the Scottish Government will act in a way that is “not disproportionate or overreacting”.

She said: “All of these things have to be under review on an ongoing basis because we’re dealing with this infectious virus and it’s a tactical battle we’re fighting with this virus so we need to always consider the steps we need to take to stay ahead of it or get it back in retreat if we ever think its running out control.”