Moray 'unlikely' to move down to level 2 with rest of country

Public health bosses are warning Moray could be unlikely to follow the rest of Scotland into level two later this month.

Covid-19 cases in the region remain the highest across Scotland as cases top 93.9 per 100,000 in the last seven days. 

The Scottish Government will make the final decision with Nicola Sturgeon set to make an announcement tomorrow about the further easing of restrictions. 

Neighbouring Aberdeenshire is just seeing 8.42 per 100,000 with Aberdeen at 19.2. 

NHS Grampian’s deputy director of public health, Chris Littlejohn said: “The situation remains of great concern and according to previous Scottish Government thresholds, it’s entirely possible that Moray won’t move into level two.

"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 health board introduced an accelerated vaccine programme last week in order to meet the target of offering every adult aged 18 and over the first dose in Moray by the end of the month. 

Residents have been keen in the uptake after some being offered their first dose over the weekend. 

Mr Littlejohn continued: “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 and I’d thank each and every person who is playing their part in protecting Moray. 

​“Please stay patient, we need people to continue to do the right thing and stick with the guidelines. 

"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.  

“Be assured, we are working flat out to do everything we can to prevent further people becoming infected and sick, but it requires a continuing collective effort by everyone. I am grateful to everyone involved in getting these messages out to everyone in the community.  

“We have accelerated the population vaccination program. 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.

“The current level 3 population restrictions continue to limit population mixing, especially indoors. It remains vital that people continue to comply with these.”

For further details around testing in the area visit here.