GOOD progress is being made in efforts to bring down record numbers of COVID in Dumfries and Galloway – but with still some way to go.
In the week ending February 7 a total of 139 new positive cases were recorded in the region, down from 201 the previous week.
However, the number of people who had been in close contact with someone who later tested positive and so were required to self-isolate actually increased, rising to 311 from 300 the week before.
Interim Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “Numbers of new positive COVID-19 cases in the region have come down further from last week – following the surge at the start of the year which was driven by the highly transmissible B.1.1.7. variant.
“However, while we’ve seen a decline in numbers they are still far above what we were recording towards the end of last year – and every single case does represent a risk to the health of that individual and however many people they may have come into contact with, with the potential for it to be spread further.
“It’s important that everyone continues to follow the FACTS guidance about wearing of face coverings, maintaining hand hygiene and physical distancing and not mixing in other households. It’s also crucial that everyone immediately self-isolates and arranges to be tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, which are:
Raised temperature
New, continuous cough
Change to or loss of sense of taste and/or smell.
“It’s also very important that people who have been vaccinated understand that this also applies to them, as the risk continues to remain.”
A total of 3543 COVID-19 tests were carried out in the week ending February 7, down from 4938 the previous week.
The locally calculated positivity rate for Dumfries and Galloway is estimated at around 4.2 per cent, down from 4.7 per cent.
As at 04/02/2021, the overall 7 day positivity rate is 95.4 per 100,000, down from 143.1.
Positive COVID-19 cases are present across all four locality areas in Dumfries and Galloway.
There is evidence of wide community transmission across the region, and evidence that people identified as close contacts of cases are developing COVID-19.
Workplace settings and car sharing are areas where transmission is being seen.
