Serious concern as Barra cluster is spreading to other parts of the Western Isles.

Residents of the Western Isles are waking up this morning to the news that there have been further positive cases of Covid-19 on the islands.
If people fail to comply with the rules outbreaks will continue.If people fail to comply with the rules outbreaks will continue.
If people fail to comply with the rules outbreaks will continue.

The original outbreak, which was limited to the island of Barra, seems to be spreading, with the news that there are now cases on South Uist.

NHS Western Isles confirmed that the Barra cluster has a further five new cases, bringing the total number of positive tests to 45. In South Uist there is a new cluster of three cases, with five people on Benbecula testing positive, and one cases in the Stornoway area, which, as reported yesterday, was linked to mainland travel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile more than 145 people are self isolating as a result of Test and Protect, which NHSWI say is ongoing along with further testing.

Last night at midnight, Barra and Vatersay entered level four lockdown measures as announced by the First Minister at her briefing yesterday, with people being urged to stay at home.

The ‘voluntary’ efforts of the local community in Barra and Vatersay as they attempt to bring the outbreak of Covid-19 in the islands under control has been recognised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the islands’ MP and MSP.

In a statement issued on Tuesday after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had confirmed that Barra and Vatersay would be placed under level 4 lockdown restrictions, Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil MP said: “Firstly, this is the official designations catching up with the reality of the situation in Barra as people have been voluntarily in Level 4 in their actions for about a week now since the first COVID-19 cases emerged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The MP concluded, “we can get this Covid situation in Barra under control soon. It looks like the rate of positives is going in the right direction already but still there is much to be done. We must remember social distancing when in shops, staying at home and not travelling unnecessarily and washing our hands regularly.”

Western isles MSP, Alasdair Allan said: “People in Barra and Vatersay have already voluntarily been observing level 4 rules for some time now. In an online meeting with representatives of the community yesterday, it was very clear that they are treating this situation seriously and I therefore doubt if this move will impose any restrictions that they are not already imposing on themselves.

“With 15 per cent of the islands’ population now self-isolating, the virus is clearly having a major impact. However my understanding is that vaccination roll out and testing on the island are both going well.”

A spokesperson for the Comhairle nan Eilean said: “Barra has effectively been in voluntary Level 4 with schools (except Castlebay for children of key workers and vulnerable children), sports facilities and non-essential businesses closed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Clearly we support the community in their efforts and it is encouraging to see the levels of community support.

“The Comhairle also endorses Public Health and Scottish Government advice to stay home as far as possible and follow the rules which will help in combatting the virus and maintaining safety.

In her statement to the Scottish Parliament Ms Sturgeon said: “There is a significant concern that without additional measures the outbreak [in the islands] could spread more widely across the Western Isles and there is also concern but the impact on care home and clinical services.”

“For these reasons the National Incident Management Team in consultation with the local authority and the local health board has decided that Barra and Vatersay…should move from level 3 to level 4.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This means”, Ms Sturgeon continued, “that the same lock-down restrictions already in place on mainland Scotland, including the ‘stay at home accept for essential purposes’ requirement will apply there too. This change - which we will keep under review - applies only to Barra and Vatersay and not at this stage to the Western Isles more generally.

The First Minister added that affected businesses on the islands, including hospitality and non-essential retail which will be required to close, will be eligible for business support.

Ms Sturgeon concluded:

“As the outbreak comes under control, which we hope will happen relatively soon, we will of course consider how quickly Barra and Vatersay can move back to level 3.”