Update on Grantown

The total number of confirmed COVID 19 cases within the Grantown community has increased by two to 33, 30 of these are linked with Millers of Speyside abattoir, NHS Highland reports today.

“We can appreciate that there will be increased local anxiety but the vast majority of cases are linked to premises and we are not aware of significant community transmission at this time,” said a spokesperson.

“NHS Highland’s Health Protection Team is continuing contact tracing with all those identified as close contacts being advised to self-isolate.

“Any close contacts of positive cases will be identified through this route – if you have not been contacted by our Health Protection Team please be reassured that there is no cause for concern.”

Dr Tim Allison, director of public health, said: “Work continues in following up contacts and appropriate advice is being given to those we have identified.

“The investigation so far is showing that the majority of these confirmed cases are linked with Millers of Speyside abattoir.

“While it is good news that there is no significant community transmission it is important that we do not become complacent and continue to follow the national guidance to keep you and others safe.

“This includes physical distancing, wearing a face-covering when in enclosed spaces, cleaning your hands and surfaces regularly and immediately self-isolating if you develop symptoms.”

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should be tested. You can book a test for yourself, someone you care for, or a child in your care but you only need to book a test if you have symptoms or you have been explicitly asked to get a test by our public health team.

A test can be booked by calling 0800 028 2816 or visiting the NHS Inform website.You do not need to call NHS 24 to organise a test.

Royal Mail are collecting completed test kits from priority postboxes. The Priority Post Box for Grantown is located at the Post Office, 6 – 26 High Street, Grantown on Spey.

These Priority Post Boxes are used for return of UK Government Test Kits that have been ordered via the online Postal Portal. You can find our more information about that here.

If anyone requires to self-isolate and they need support, e.g. with food supplies or financial assistance, they should contact the Council’s Freephone Helpline on 0300 303 1362. People wishing to volunteer their help should also contact this number.

The Highland Council’s Environmental Health team are working closely with NHS Highland’s Health Protection team on Test and Protect. Environmental Health will liaise with businesses with possible connections to positive Covid19 cases to check the Covid19 controls in place at the business. The team are happy to provide advice to any businesses that have queries on the Covid19 guidance and recommend businesses email queries to envhealth@highland.gov.uk.

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