Dun Berisay Care Home

NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar can confirm that the current number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Dun Berisay Care Home is 19. 

There are, at present, 11 residents and eight staff who have tested positive. 

Non-essential visiting continues to be suspended.   

Residents’ families are being kept up to date on an ongoing basis by social care staff.     

Teams from NHS Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Public Health Scotland continue to support the care home with their arrangements for infection prevention and control to help prevent spread of the infection.  

An Incident Management Team met for the second time today (Wednesday) to monitor and assess arrangements.  

A number of individuals have been identified as close contacts of positive cases and have been required to self-isolate to help prevent further spread of the virus.    

At this time, we would remind adults who have not yet had the COVID vaccine that they are still able to make an appointment, by calling 0808 196 8383 or emailing wi.covidvax@nhs.scot.  

COVID vaccines are effective in helping to prevent serious illness and the need for hospitalisation should you contract COVID-19. However, it is important that you continue to follow safety precautions after having the vaccine, as you can still catch and spread COVID-19 after having one or both doses of the vaccine. 

It remains important to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities, even if they have been double vaccinated. Whilst the vaccine reduces the risk of serious illness if you catch COVID, there remains a higher risk of adverse outcomes for the oldest members of our population that they could still suffer serious illness if they contract COVID-19 even after being vaccinated.  

At this time, we are also reminding individuals of the importance of compliance with self-isolation requirements if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. Self-isolation is not the same as lockdown measures or the ‘stay at home’ message, as those required to self-isolate should only leave home in an emergency situation or to have a COVID test. Self-isolation is important as it helps prevent spread of the virus to others.