A further drop has been recorded in the number of new COVID-19 cases within Dumfries and Galloway. In the week ending Sunday February 13 a total of 989 new cases was recorded, down from 1198 the week before.
Similarly, the number of close contacts of positive cases was also down, falling from 1476 to 1128.
Director of Public Health, Valerie White, said: “The continued movement downwards in the past two weeks is welcome, but it may be too early to draw too much from this. COVID-19 is still prevalent at high levels across our population.”
“We’d encourage everyone to ensure they are fully vaccinated. For adults over 18, ‘fully vaccinated’ means having had three separate jags, and for young people aged 12 to 17 fully vaccinated means having had two jags – with second jags for this group only available through our drop-in vaccination clinics.
“Being fully vaccinated provides the highest level of protection against COVID and its risk to health. Beyond this, don’t let your vaccination status be a factor limiting your options this year, including any travel or holiday plans for you or your family.
“Although the health impact is now much reduced, the responses required to COVID such as self-isolating when positive can still really impact on our communities.
“We’d therefore encourage everyone to continue to follow directions aimed at limiting spread – hand washing, wearing face coverings in indoor public settings, considering interactions with other people and regular testing for COVID.”
Details on vaccinations and all the upcoming drop-in clinics can be found at the website www.nhsdg.co.uk/vaccines
Drop-ins may require queuing, and with vaccinations as vaccine supplies allow. People are advised to dress warmly.
Book your booster now using the national portal https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp, or by calling the free number 0800 030 8013.
The local helpline can handle a limited number of enquiries for anyone experiencing problems with the national system – calling 01387 403090 or emailing [email protected]
