NHS bosses send out stark warning on COVID-19 rates in Moray

There's fears Moray "will see deaths" if current COVID-19 levels in the area aren't brought under control.

NHS Grampian say the region is currently seeing “uncontrolled, sustained community transmission” of the virus.

The region now has 79.3 cases per 100,000 – East Dunbartonshire has the second highest with 37.7, while neighbouring Aberdeenshire and Highland are at 10.3 and 11.4 respectively.

An incident management team has now been launched in an effort to tackle the virus.

NHS Grampian Public Health Deputy Director, Chris Littlejohn is urging Moray residents to get a COVID-19 test, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

He said: "In Moray we are now seeing uncontrolled, sustained community transmission, current restrictions not are containing it, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

"We are seeing hospitalisations from this – including in the under 50s – and we will see deaths, if the situation is not brought under control.

“We are urging everyone to #ProtectMoray and get tested, even if they have no symptoms.

"We hope that by intervening further now we can avoid the possibility of further restrictions or a continuation of level three in Moray – but we need to act now and we need the people of Moray to act with us.

"Although Elgin is the epicentre of the spread, we are now seeing rising levels in places including Lossiemouth, Buckie and Keith.

"We are writing to businesses encouraging them to support us in getting the workforce tested, we are deploying extra mobile testing units and we are continuing with our enhanced testing in the region.

"As a next step we are heavily considering door-to-door testing in Elgin and look at how we can facilitate that.

"Since April 10 we have seen 210 cases in Moray. More than half of those have come in the last eight days alone.

"This is a rapidly accelerating situation.

“Analytics have shown us many people in the region have returned to their workplaces, rather than working from home.

"It remains the advice people should work from home where possible and we really need people to do that, where they can."

A mobile testing unit is will be in operation at Elgin Academy from tomorrow as cases linked with the school since April 10th now stand at 51.

It was meant to be arriving next week, however due to the rise in cases it was decided to bring this forward.

Staff and pupils will be able to get tested on school days and be open to the public during the weekend.

Mobile units will also be visiting towns and villages around the region in the coming days.

Details on dates and times will be published online and across social media.

NHS Grampian say they are continuing to ask anyone in Moray with any symptoms of illness, not just those of Covid-19 – including headaches, diarrhoea, sore throat, runny nose - to isolate and book a test immediately.

People without symptoms are continuing to be asked to take up asymptomatic testing.

For the latest information on testing in Moray or to book a test visit www.moray.gov.uk/Covid19