Keep doing what you’re doing, says NHS Borders bosses

The compliance of people across the Borders with the lockdown restrictions appears to be having a positive impact on suppressing the virus as the number of confirmed cases and Covid-related admissions to hospital continues to reduce, albeit slowly.

Daily data published by the Scottish Government confirms that there were 60 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded in the Borders over the past seven days – down from 96 the previous week.

Two dedicated Covid wards remain open in the Borders General Hospital; a general ward and a Higher Observation Unit. There are currently 29 patients across NHS Borders hospitals with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, including some patients requiring specialist care in the Intensive Care Unit … a stark reminder that the virus is still present and dangerous.

Dr Tim Patterson, director of public health at NHS Borders, said: “In order to keep these numbers moving in the right direction, we all need to do everything we can to keep this virus at bay and break the chains of transmission.

"This means continuing to comply with the restrictions, work from home whenever possible, only leave the house for essential purposes and self isolate and book a test if you have any one of the symptoms of Covid-19.”

Mobile testing units are identifying cases that would otherwise not be picked up, helping to break the chain of transmission.