'Moray may not follow rest of Scotland out of level 3'
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Health bosses have warned Moray may not follow every other part of Scotland into level two later this month.
The final decision rests with the Scottish Government, but cases per 100,000 in Moray are now at 93.9 – the highest rate in the country.
Chris Littlejohn, the health board's deputy director of public health, said: "The situation remains of great concern.
"According to previous Scottish Government thresholds, it’s entirely possible that Moray won’t move into level two.
"The current level 3 population restrictions continue to limit population mixing, especially indoors.
"It remains vital that people continue to comply with these."
In contrast to Moray's current rate of 93.9, neighbouring Highland and Aberdeenshire are seeing just 7.63 and 8.42 respectively.
Moray also has more than double the case rate of second-placed Glasgow at 48.3.
NHS Grampian says it has seen recent hospital admissions from younger people aged under 50.
Mr Littlejohn added: "We have been delighted with the community response to our request for increased testing, and we are asking for that to continue as well as everyone’s continuing compliance with the regulations and rules.
"If the community continues to do the right things, level two won’t be far away.
"We are pleased to say there has been enormous interest in the accelerated vaccination program for Moray.
"Our team is working its way through calls and queries as quickly as they can.
"We would ask people to be patient with us and, wherever possible, make every effort to attend the appointment made for them.
"We’ve also seen many people take up the enhanced testing offers – finding the virus and getting those with it to isolate, even if asymptomatic, really is the way we beat it and get Moray back on a level-footing with the rest of the country.
"The impact of being left behind could be quite significant.
"It will be painful and understandably it will be upsetting for many, but with the extra vaccinations, testing and people sticking by the guidelines Moray will very soon be heading in the right direction.
"I'd thank each and every person who is playing their part in protecting Moray.
"Things aren’t going to improve overnight, there is a lag between exposure, incubation and symptoms, but we hope that all of these measures will result in an improving picture in the next 10-14 days.
"We have deployed an additional mobile testing unit to increase access to PCR testing for those with covid symptoms.
"And we have gone further by asking anyone with ‘extended’ symptoms to seek a PCR test.
"We are also looking into the possibility of door-to-door testing in particular ‘hot-spots’ if the situation continues to worsen.
"It takes at least two weeks after vaccination for protection to develop, and protection is not 100%. But when a very high proportion of the population have been vaccinated this gives additional population protection as well as individual protection."
Asymptomatic people are encouraged to take regular ‘lateral flow device’ tests which give a result within half an hour.
Positive results require immediate isolation.
Test kits can be ordered for free postal delivery here
Testing is available without booking at the sites listed at www.moray.gov.uk/covid19.
Those with ‘classic’ symptoms can book a PCR test via www.nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816 if online access is unavailable.
Testing can occur at a fixed or mobile testing site or via free postal kits. Those with symptoms must not attend asymptomatic testing sites.
Those with ‘extended’ symptoms in Moray should book a test online using the “my health protection team has asked me to get a test” option or by calling NHS Grampian on 01224 558 494.
The individual experiencing the symptoms should self-isolate until the test result is returned there is no need for the rest of the individual’s household to self-isolate.
Further details are available here
