Public role in containing Covid-19 spread key amid concerns over rising case numbers; Doctor urges anyone with even minor coronavirus symptoms to check with clinical teams before attending any appointments
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MEMBERS of the Ross-shire and wider Highland public have a vital role to play now in easing Covid-19 pressure on the health service.
Dr Ross Jaffrey made his remarks in the wake of the latest figures for Scotland which show a rise in case numbers.
New restrictions were brought into place on Boxing Day following concerns about a spike in cases and an alert over a potentially more infectious new strain of the virus.
Dr Jaffrey, a GP who has patients in the Muir of Ord and Beauly areas, started the Safe Hands, save lives campaign to help inform locals and share trusted health advice.
His latest observations come ahead of localised statistics for the Highlands which will resume tomorrow afternoon and of an expected statement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on measures deemed necessary in light of the latest situation.
He said a 15.2 per cent positive test rate from the latest pan-Scotland daily cases "is a concern".
The most recent figures published by the Scottish Government show 2464 new cases of Covid-19 reported. They show 17,328 new tests for Covid-19 that reported results,15.2 per cent of which were positive.
Dr Jaffrey reported: "Local level information will come out on Tuesday afternoon – it is likely to show widespread community transmission in multiple areas. Not the platform we wanted prior to beginning the vaccination programme for Covid-19."
Highlighting the part members of the public can play, he said: "We will get on top of it but needs discipline of established infection prevention measures to help reduce pressures on hospitals. Please do not attend appointments even with minor symptoms of Covid-19 - without informing clinical teams first. This also applies if you are, or have been, asked to self-isolate. If you do attend it could cause serious disruption, even to the point of closing a ward/clinic/surgery. "
He said that elective – that is non-urgent – work "is likely to be put on pause again".
While frustrating for many waiting on operations or specialist opinions in a clinic, he notes that many clinics have been set up to use video technology which, while not viable for all, "is ready to go and is currently being used - unlike the position in March/April last year".
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