Majority of Falkirk people are staying at home – and safe

As the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, people in the main are adapting to the stringent controls designed to help reduce the spread of this highly infectious virus.

Staying at home, working from home, schooling from home are all becoming the norm for many.

While there is disruption to services such as refuse collections, there seems to be an acceptance of why it needs to be done.

Queues of people patiently waiting outside supermarkets while standing the necessary two metres apart has also become a common sight and, once inside, the usually bustling stores have an almost eerie atmosphere with shoppers intent on picking up the necessities and getting home as quickly as possible.

But these measures are not stopping people from catching coronavirus but hopefully keeping numbers as low as possible, hence easing the strain on health services.

Latest figures issued yesterday (Wednesday) by the Scottish Government show that positive cases are increasing in Forth Valley.

They reveal that 146 people have tested positive.

This is an increase of 15 since the previous day.

A total of 17,007 people in Scotland have been tested.

Of these, 14,697 tests were confirmed negative and 2310 tests were positive.

The number of patients who tested positive in Scotland and have since died is 76.

The figures come as the health board announced new local assessment centres have been set up in Forth Valley to deal with people with symptoms of coronavirus that are getting worse or not improving after seven days.

While doctors stress that most people who get the illness will experience only mild symptoms and will not need treatment, those who do need medical help should contact NHS 24 by dialling 111, day or night.

Local clinical staff will carry out a telephone assessment and either provide advice or arrange for the patient to be seen.

The first of the new community assessment centres covering the Falkirk area is in Grangemouth but more are expected to open soon.

NHS Forth Valley says these new arrangements provide a simpler, direct route for people with coronavirus symptoms who require additional help or advice.

Crucially, they will also help free up local GP practices to treat and care for people with non-COVID-19 related health conditions.

Dr Stuart Cumming, NHS Forth Valley’s associate medical director for primary care, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in setting up these new community triage and assessment centres in such a short space of time.

“I would also like to thank GP practices across Forth Valley who have been hugely supportive in helping to develop and deliver this service. These will support local people with symptoms of COVID-19 who may require additional clinical advice.

“I’d also like to remind people that the fastest way to get the latest health information and advice on coronavirus is by visiting the NHS Inform website and people without symptoms looking for general information can also call the free coronavirus national helpline on 0800 028 2816 which is open from 8am to 10pm every day.

“People should only phone NHS 24 if their symptoms worsen and the new local community assessment centres are strictly appointment only and do not provide testing facilities.”

The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature or fever; a new, continuous cough and shortness of breath.

Patients with health concerns who do not have any coronavirus symptoms should continue to telephone their GP practice when open and only call NHS 24 when their GP practice is closed.

If you need a sick note due to coronavirus don’t contact your GP or NHS 24. You can download an isolation note directly from NHS Inform.

Meanwhile, the message to people continues to be to protect themselves and others. They should stay at home; only go outside for essential food, health and work reasons; stay two metres away from other people; wash their hands regularly and wash their hands as soon as they get home.