ANYONE in Scotland diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms will now have to self-isolate for ten days – an increase from seven.
The announcement has been made by UK’s four Chief Medical Officers, noting evidence that people with COVID-19 have a ‘low but real possibility’ of infectiousness between seven and nine days after the onset of the illness.
Reacting to the development, NHS Dumfries and Galloway Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Nigel Calvert said: “Self-isolation plays such an important role in helping to stop the spread of coronavirus, and we’ve seen this first-hand within Dumfries and Galloway,
“We’re so grateful that people do self-isolate, and with this extension from seven days to ten days it’s important we remember that this move is to ensure the full effectiveness of this action, and that self-isolation is an act which protects our friends, our neighbours and our wider communities.”
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Dr Gregor Smith is a co-signatory on the statement issued today by all four of the UK’s chief medical officers which has introduced and explained the extension of the self-isolation period.
Explaining the 10 day self-isolation period applies for those people who have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result, the statement said: “In symptomatic people, COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.
“Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days after illness onset.
“We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
“This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.”
Other signatories to the letter are Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride and Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton.
COVID-19 is highly transmissible, and no one should be blamed for contracting the virus.
Anyone who does experience any of the symptoms (a cold or flu like illness – including a new cough, high temperature, or loss of smell) should self-isolate and book a test through our mobile testing unit which carries out testing daily across the region.
Tests can be booked by visiting the website www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/
Testing dates and locations are as follows:
Friday 31st July
MTU1
Langholm – Kilngreen Car Park.
DG13 0JN
MTU2
Thornhill – Community Centre,
East Back Street. DG3 5LH
Saturday 1st August
MTU1
Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,
Hoods Loaning, DG1 2HT
MTU2
Stranraer – Ashwood House.
DG9 7JJ
Sunday 2nd August
MTU1
Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,
Hoods Loaning, DG1 2HT
MTU2
Annan – Swimming Pool,
St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ
Monday 3rd August
MTU1
Stranraer – Ashwood House.
DG9 7JJ
MTU2
Moffat – Station Park Car Park,
Beattock Road (A701), Moffat.
Tuesday 4th August
MTU1
Annan – Swimming Pool,
St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ
MTU2 – morning
Dalbeattie (location to be confirmed)
MTU3 – afternoon
Castle Douglas – Market St Car Park.
DG7 1AE
Wednesday 5th August
MTU1
Thornhill – Community Centre,
East Back Street. DG3 5LH
MTU2
Stranraer – Ashwood House.
DG9 7JJ
Thursday 6th August
MTU1 – morning
Newton Stewart – Douglas Ewart High School,
Corsbie Rd. DG8 6JQ
MTU2
Annan – Swimming Pool,
St Johns Rd. DG12 6AQ
MTU3 – afternoon
Kirkcudbright – (location to be confirmed)
Friday 7th August
MTU1
Moffat – Station Park Car Park,
Beattock Road (A701), Moffat.
MTU2
Sanquhar – Fun Pool,
Blackaddie Road. DG4 6DB
Saturday 8th August
MTU1
Dumfries – DG1 Leisure Centre,
Hoods Loaning. DG1 2HT
MTU2
Dalry – (location to be confirmed)
Sunday 9th August
MTU1
Lockerbie – McJerrow Car Park,
High Street. DG11 2BJ
In Dumfries and Galloway, the following groups of staff with symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to be tested through one of the NHS testing facilities. This can be organised through Occupational Health (01387 244626) or, for any non-NHS or non-Council staff, through line managers.
- NHS staff, including independent contractors such as GPs, dentists, optometrists and community pharmacists
- Social care staff, including care home and care-at-home staff
- Emergency services, including police, fire and rescue, ambulance, and prison service staff
- Dumfries and Galloway Council employees
