East Dunbartonshire has second highest covid infection rate in Scotland

Covid cases are rising in East Dunbartonshire – the area now has the second highest infection rate in the country.
Covid on the rise in East DunbartonshireCovid on the rise in East Dunbartonshire
Covid on the rise in East Dunbartonshire

According to Public Health Scotland's rolling seven-day infection rate per 100,000 population, East Dunbartonshire local authority area has a rate of 48.8.

This is only below Moray with has the highest infection rate in the country – at 64.7 as of Saturday, May 1. The average rate for Scotland is 21.9. East Ayrshire has the third-highest rate at 36.1, followed by North Lanarkshire at 34.6.

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Hotspots in East Dunbartonshire from the latest figures were Kessington East in Bearsden, Torrance and Balmore, Lenzie North, Rosebank and Waterside, and Milton of Campsie.

The Herald approached both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and East Dunbartonshire Council for comment.

This afternoon (Monday), a spokesperson for NHSGGC said: “The higher level of infections in East Dunbartonshire show that COVID remains a very real and immediate threat.

"It’s more important than ever that we do our best to stick to the rules to reduce the spread.

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"Another key tool in our shared efforts to beat the virus is testing and we would urge everyone to take up opportunities to test for COVID-19 even if you have no symptoms, including through asymptomatic lateral flow testing.

"If you have symptoms, continue to isolate immediately and arrange to take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible.”

While today (Tuesday, May 4) East Dunbartonshire Council’s Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive - Education, People and Business said: "It is as important as ever to follow guidance and adhere to FACTS - wear a face covering, avoid crowded places, clean hands and surfaces regularly, stay two metres away from other people and self-isolate and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms."

Local residents expressed their concern on the Herald’s Facebook page.

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Pam ML said: “Loads of people still taking unnecessary risks while the rest of us live like hermits.” Stacey McKinstray posted: “Here we go again.”

There have been 281 coronavirus-related deaths registered in East Dunbartonshire up to 25 April.

A total of 61,534 people in the area have had first dose of the vaccine up to 28 April.

Meanwhile, Scotland's retail body has hailed the first week of reopening a success after winter lockdown. The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) said Scots stores had performed better than England and Wales.