WATCH: COVID-19 cases after 'music gig' at Midlothian pub

A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been linked with an 'outdoor music gig' involving three guest singers at a pub in Midlothian.

NHS Lothian says 'a number of people' who were at The Foresters Pub in Pathhead on Saturday, September 5th have tested positive for coronavirus.

Public health experts who've made a public appeal for help to prevent the spread of the infection say 'urgent action' is needed.

The local health board is telling people who visited the venue on the day of the outdoor event to self-isolate up to and including Saturday, September 19th.

On Saturday, September 12th the licensed premises posted a video on its Facebook page appearing to show the building being deep cleaned, claiming: 'The Foresters has had a deep clean and has been COVID-19 fog sprayed for the safety of our staff and customers.'

"...music in venues can encourage people to raise their voices which makes it easier for the virus to be transmitted" - DR DUNCAN MCCORMICK

Dr Duncan McCormick, Public Health Consultant at NHS Lothian, and Chair of the expert group monitoring the situation said: "We have seen transmission of the virus among patrons who were at The Foresters Pub when a music event was held.

"All those who have tested positive so far have been contacted by the national Test and Protect Team and they and their contacts continue to self-isolate at home.

"A risk assessment has been done and we want everyone who was there at the music event to self isolate to help reduce the risk of onward spread.

"We know cases of COVID-19 are rising throughout Scotland and it is absolutely vital that we all do everything we can to turn this around.

"We would remind people that music in venues can encourage people to raise their voices which makes it easier for the virus to be transmitted."

On August 24th, The Foresters published a Facebook post advertising a 'live entertainment beer garden bash' - an 'outside gig' was 'sold out.'

Close contacts of positive cases of coronavirus are also expected to self-isolate for 14-days from the last contact with a confirmed COVID case.

In a statement posted on social media the proprietor said: "This was an all ticket, seated, socially distanced organised event with professional singers.

"This event was organised based on information taken from the Scottish Government website.

"We were made aware on Thursday, September 10th of a person who attended the event testing positive for COVID-19.

"As soon as we were made aware we contacted the appropriate authorities to ask for advice and guidelines on our next steps.

"We were advised that track and trace would contact any relevant people who attended the OUTSIDE event should the need arise.

"We also took it upon ourselves to deep clean and sanitise using COVID fogging, as the safety of our staff and customers is paramount. "