Moray keeps making positive progress

20 May 2021

NHSG/34/21

There is cause for cautious optimism in Moray, as measures put in place to tackle a spike in COVID-19 cases continue to prove effective. The Incident Management Team (IMT) dealing with the outbreaks met today (Thursday 20 May) and heard the number of cases is now sitting around the 40 per 100,000 of the population mark.

Chris Littlejohn, deputy Director of Public Health and IMT chair, said: “It is incredibly pleasing to see Moray keep making progress. However, the IMT agreed the situation remains fluid and there are still clusters which could get out of control.

“To combat this, people in the area should keep accessing testing, available in a number of community locations. Please don’t think one negative result is enough; regular testing will stop this virus in its tracks. Early detection of cases allows our contact tracing teams to work quickly and provide self-isolation guidance, breaking the chain of transmission.

“In addition, please come forward for your COVID-19 vaccination. The latest information suggests 80% of those aged 40-49 have had their first dose of vaccine. Around 64% of those aged 30-39, and 68% of those aged 18-29, have received their first injection. This is an amazing result in such a short period of time. If you are still to be vaccinated, please come forward.

“At the risk of repeating myself, please keep accessing testing. We are still seeing people testing positive without displaying the typical COVID-19 symptoms, or indeed any symptoms at all. There are a range of testing facilities available in the community, or you can order test kits to be delivered to your home, via the UK Government website.”