Covid R-rate within Moray hits 1.8
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A mobile testing unit has arrived in Moray today as part of an effort to tackle escalating Covid-19 levels.
The unit is initially targeting pupils and teachers at Elgin Academy during school hours.
It will be used for members of the wider public during the weekend.
Jamie Hogg, NHS Grampian’s divisional clinical director at Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: "We have seen 51 cases of Covid-19 within the school’s population – but there is no evidence of ongoing transmission in the school and we are not treating it as a single outbreak.
"It is therefore likely these individuals have picked-up the virus in the community, out with the school.
"In testing all pupils and teachers it gives us a fuller picture of who is infected in the community – we know Covid-19 is now becoming widespread across Moray.
"It is vital we get ahead of the virus, and widespread testing is our best chance to do that.
"Test positivity in Moray is at 3.2 per cent – across Scotland that figure is close to just 1 per cent.
"The R-rate in Moray is at also 1.8.
"That means every person in Moray that becomes infected is, on average, passing it on to two other people."
An incident management team is now overseeing efforts to bring the virus back under control in Moray.
The region now has 79.3 cases per 100,000.
That is more than double East Dunbartonshire which has the second highest with 37.7.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Aberdeenshire is at 10 and the Highlands are at 11.
Vivienne Cross, Moray COuncil's Chief education officer, said: "Ultimately the mobile testing unit is at Elgin Academy to help protect the pupils, their families and the wider community.
"I'd urge all pupils and staff to get tested.
"With around one in three cases asymptomatic it is vital we find those cases to protect others from catching the virus.
"Working alongside out colleagues from NHS Grampian we can hopefully start to move, with the rest of the country, back to some sense of normality in the coming weeks – but we can only achieve that if we all act now."
Kyle Scott, Elgin Academy’s head teacher, said: “As a school our infection prevention control measures have worked and we are reassured by Public Health that there has not been spread within the academy.
"Despite that it is obviously circulating widely in the region’s population and that includes some of our pupils.
"While adherence to the guidelines inside the school has been excellent, we’d encourage pupils and their families to ensure they do so outside of our facility – not gathering in large numbers and wearing masks where appropriate.
"Not following the guidelines puts pupils and staff at risk and, if the situation escalates, potentially our ability to offer education in the school setting.
"It is vital we all stick to the guidelines whether at school or not and protect Moray."
Two of the first pupils at the school to be tested were Rory Stanley and Isla Hepburn.
S6 student Isla said: "For me it’s important to get tested and play my part in protecting my family, friends, fellow pupils, teachers and the wider population.
"The pandemic has obviously affected our ability to receive our education in the traditional way – and I think the vast majority of pupils are glad to be back and school and benefiting from face-to-face teaching.
"It is vital we all play our part and ensure that we aren’t held back as the rest of the country unlocks – or worse still the situation develops and we move backwards.”
NHS Grampian is continuing to ask anyone in Moray with any symptoms of illness, not just those of Covid-19 – including headaches, diarrhoea, sore throat, runny nose – to isolate and book a test immediately.
People without symptoms are continuing to be asked to take up asymptomatic testing.
For the latest information on testing in Moray or to book a test visit www.moray.gov.uk/Covid19
