CASES of COVID-19 have seen a smaller decrease in Dumfries and Galloway than in recent weeks, declining from 538 to stand at 504 in the week ending Sunday September 26.
Although the rate of decline slowed, the continuing fall in case numbers has been welcomed. However, numbers of identified close contacts of cases actually increased slightly, from 978 to 1004.
Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “COVID-19 remains a very easily transmissible virus.
“Vaccines have been very successful in limiting some of the worst effects of the virus, with far fewer people requiring treatment in hospital because of COVID or dying where COVID was a direct or even indirect cause.
“However, the virus can still impact on people’s health, particularly if you are not yet vaccinated, and beyond that the requirement to continue to limit spread can have a disruptive effect on the likes of businesses, schools and on services.
“Right now, we need to keep controlling this virus by preventing its chance of spreading, being vigilant for any symptoms and immediately self-isolating and arranging to have a PCR test if we experience any of those symptoms.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 are:
A raised temperature
A new and continuous cough
Change to or loss of sense of taste and or smell
Regular asymptomatic testing for COVID provides assurance and helps to identify cases at the earliest opportunity. Details on the full range of testing opportunities can be found by visiting the website www.nhsdg.co.uk/testing/
