Dundee on track to move to Level 3 despite student outbreak, says Jason Leitch
The number of positive tests reached 138 on Friday
Last updated 29th Mar 2021
Scotland's top coronavirus adviser is telling Tay News Dundee is still on track to move down to level 3, despite a major spike in cases among students.
The number of positive tests reached 138 on Friday.
They're being linked to illegal gatherings and parties.
Travel restrictions are due to be lifted within Scotland from 26 April.
"There'll be more openings the Easter weekend, we've described them already. Our plan is to move the whole mainland down to level 3," said Professor Jason Leitch.
"That remains the plan, even with these numbers in Dundee. This is a relatively isolated outbreak still."
Health officials have confirmed there is no evidence of a spike in coronavirus cases in the wider community in Dundee, with the majority of the cases focussed around the city's West End.
Scotland's national clinical director added students deserve credit for how they've responded to the outbreak.
"Students have come forward, they've sought testing opportunities, have told the truth broadly," he said.
"Public health professionals have done the contact tracing well. I'm as confident as I can be, but the virus is smart.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise that when people meet and don't follow the guidance, the virus finds opportunities.
"Sometimes we get away with that because there are no positive cases perhaps and you think the virus is irrelevant now, it doesn't matter.
"But you can't tell."
On Friday Dundee University's principal expressed fears that the rise in cases among students may derail the city's ability to come out of lockdown.
An incident management team set up by NHS Tayside is due to meet again on Wednesday, with anyone who has mixed with people outside their bubble from 13 March onwards being urged to book a PCR test.