Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the Borders

The number of deaths linked to the virus has also risen after a patient with Covid-19 died here on Friday, October 16.

A previous death was recorded in the Borders on Monday, September 28.

The latest fatality brings the death toll in the region to 76, with 640 confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 in the Borders since March 7.

Dr Keith Allan, associate director of public health for NHS Borders, said: “The number of people with confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Borders continues to rise.

“It remains really important to follow up to date advice and guidance in relation to infection prevention and control.

“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to follow the FACTS: Face coverings in enclosed spaces; Avoid crowded places; Clean hands and surfaces regularly; Two metre distancing; and self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

“If you develop any symptoms of Covid-19 which are a new continuous cough, a fever or high temperature of 37.8C or greater, and/or a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste you should self-isolate immediately and visit NHS Inform or phone 0800 0282816 to book a test.

“A new continuous cough is defined as if you are coughing a lot for more than an hour, or you have been coughing a lot three or more times in 24 hours. If you normally have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

“Whilst you wait for your test all of your household members must self-isolate. This is really important to prevent potential spread of this highly contagious virus.”

National restrictions have now been extended in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, with Nicola Sturgeon announcing yesterday that measures introduced at the beginning of October would continue.

These include pubs and restaurants in the central belt of Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, remaining closed, with a 6pm curfew in place for hospitality businesses elsewhere in Scotland.

People across the country are also banned from visiting each other’s homes, unless they are part of an extended household.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily virus briefing on Wednesday, the First Minister said that the measures introduced at the beginning of October, which were intended to last for two weeks, will now continue until Monday, November 2.

These restrictions will remain in place until a tiered system is introduced at the beginning of next month, with rules varying for different areas.

Ms Sturgeon said that while there was “cautious optimism” that the current restrictions were working - with evidence of a reduction in the rate of new cases - Scottish ministers had been told by advisers it would not be safe to lift them as originally planned on Monday.

“The extension allows us to transition more smoothly to the new levels system that we hope will be introduced on November 2,” she said.

She spoke as 28 more coronavirus deaths were reported in the last 24 hours across Scotland – the highest number of fatalities since May 21.

A total of 2,653 people have now died from coronavirus in Scotand.