Plea from NHS, as continued increase in daily case numbers is reported in the Western Isles

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in the Western Isles peaked yesterday (Tuesday) with a total of 76 individuals testing positive in one day. 

This is the highest daily number of individuals testing positive in the Western Isles since the start of the pandemic. The significant increase in cases over recent weeks has resulted in very high numbers of individuals across our communities having to self-isolate. 266 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Western Isles over the past five days alone, with the vast majority of positive cases on Lewis.  

We would stress that hospital admission rates linked to COVID-19 thankfully remain low, and the majority of people in the Western Isles who contract COVID-19 are experiencing mild or no symptoms. However, it remains the case that for some people, catching COVID-19 can still cause significant ill-health.   

Test requests over recent weeks have also significantly increased, from around 40 daily requests two weeks ago, to approximately 80 a day in the past week and more than 140 requests yesterday. The increase in testing requests is matched by the increasing number of positive test results and the positivity rate has also increased on average from around 17 per cent to 25 per cent.  

NHS Western Isles is reminding our communities that the requirement for a period of self-isolation is still in place in Scotland if you test positive for COVID-19. The current number of individuals in self-isolation is having a concerning impact on NHS services, where escalating staff absence as a result of self-isolation (or having to isolate with a child or dependent) is putting acute pressure on service provision. NHS Western Isles staff who are close contacts of positive cases also cannot return to work without a full risk assessment, to reduce any risk to our patients. This, however, has also impacted on the current absence rate and service pressure. The situation is being constantly monitored and whilst we have been able to avoid cancellations at this stage, there is likely to be an impact in areas where staffing pressures are most acute. We will keep individual patients informed of any changes to scheduled procedures or appointments that may arise, or where schedules may have to change.  

We are reminding our communities that, if numbers continue to rise, it is likely that a range of local organisations, services and businesses will be adversely affected in terms of staff absence.  

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “The NHS Western Isles Resilience Group has been convened to monitor the current situation and any potential impact on NHS services and to take steps to safeguard services. At this point, we have been able to avoid service cancellation or having to postpone procedures/appointments. However, staffing in some areas is now proving to be extremely challenging and our staff are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we are able to provide as full a range of services as possible for as long as possible. However, this will not be sustainable should cases continue to increase at the current rate. 

“Our communities have worked so hard over the past two years to protect each other and we should all be proud of our efforts. We must continue to work together to take the measures that we can, and are able to, to minimise the spread or transmission and disruption, to protect both health and the local economy.”  

NHS Western Isles Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Dermot Gorman, added: “We would ask that people continue to take the simple, yet important steps that we are all so well aware of to protect our communities and services.  

“Firstly, we would remind people of the importance of self-isolating and booking a PCR test if you have symptoms. Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are designed for use when you don't have symptoms (so called ‘asymptomatic testing') – please continue to do regular LFDs if you are well. However, if you have even mild symptoms (even with a negative LFD result) you should arrange a PCR test by calling 01851 601151 or emailing  wi.covid19queries@nhs.scot 

“Hand hygiene remains of vital importance and it’s a simple measure to take to help protect yourself from picking up germs. When the weather allows, please keep windows open if you are meeting with others indoors. We would also strongly encourage the continued use of face coverings in public, in particular indoors.  

“Please also be mindful of the number of people you have close contact with and take precautions in particular when attending large events. Remember to take your LFD test before mixing in large groups and record your results online via https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-report-your-test-result. Please don’t take risks and mix with others if you’re symptomatic.”  

Dr Gorman added: “We are now also seeing evidence of re-infection in the Western Isles, where some individuals are catching COVID-19 for a second time. Please be mindful of this and stay vigilant. Even if you have had COVID-19 before, you can still catch it again, so it’s important that you take the basic steps above to protect yourself and your community.” 

In the Western Isles, there has been an excellent uptake of the COVID vaccine. Vaccination remains our best protector against the virus and against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. We continue to urge anyone eligible who has not yet been vaccinated – or who is due a second or booster dose – to attend one of our drop-in clinics advertised at coronavirus.wi.nhs.scot