Covid-19 in the Fort William area
Issued by NHS Highland
NHS Highland has become aware of fifteen cases of COVID-19 within the community in the Fort William area over the past week. Most of these cases are linked as part of two local community clusters.
NHS Highland’s Health Protection Team has undertaken case follow up in accordance with national guidance. Contact tracing is being carried out with all those identified as close contacts being advised to self-isolate. Any close contacts of positive cases will be identified through this route – if you are not contacted by our Health Protection Team please be reassured that there is no cause for concern.
Dr Tim Allison, Director of Public Health with NHS Highland, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the virus can recur even in rural communities and so everyone should continue to adhere to physical distancing guidelines, wear a face-covering when in enclosed spaces, clean your hands and surfaces regularly and immediately self-isolate if you develop symptoms.”
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested. You can book a test for yourself, someone you care for, or a child in your care but you only need to book a test if you have symptoms or you have been explicitly asked to get a test by our public health team.
A test can be booked by calling 0800 028 2816 or visiting the NHS Inform website. You do not need to call NHS 24 to organise a test. If you are requiring specific medical advice about symptoms please contact NHS 24 on 111 at all times.
If anyone required to self-isolate needs support, e.g. with food supplies or financial assistance, they should contact the Council’s Freephone Helpline on 0300 303 1362.
The Highland Council’s Environmental Health team are working closely with NHS Highland’s Health Protection team on Test and Protect. Environmental Health will liaise with businesses with possible connections to positive Covid19 cases to check the Covid19 controls in place at the business. The team are happy to provide advice to any businesses that have queries on the Covid19 guidance and recommend businesses email queries to envhealth@highland.gov.uk.