Coronavirus patient feels 'vilified' over Dumfries & Galloway cluster
A coronavirus patient in Dumfries and Galloway says she and her household have been 'vilified', after contracting the virus.
The patient, who wants to remain anonymous, said she is part of a household comprising mainly NHS workers.
She told Representing Border's Greg Hoare she received abuse after suggestions "social gatherings" were held, which could have contributed to the small outbreak of infections in the Annan and Gretna areas.
She said: "We have worked throughout this whole pandemic to be vilified like we’ve had a festival in the garden ... They clapped for our nurses last month and are treating them like an issue this month."
At today's Scottish Government media briefing Scotland's National Clinical Director revealed another positive COVID-19 case in the area has been identified, taking the total to 11.
Professor Jason Leitch said it was not linked to the other households involved, but the new case has an independent connection to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.
He said all staff at the hospital who are based in Dumfries and Galloway are being reached out to by Public Health Scotland.
Prof Leitch also revealed 23 contacts linked to the coronavirus patients have been contacted through the test and protect system, and all are self isolating.
He said he believes this shows an "end to the transmission chain", but cannot be sure. He also revealed testing at Alpha Solway in Annan is complete, and testing is ongoing at another factory - Young's Seafood - which was also identified as being at 'high risk' following the outbreak.
Prof Leitch also repeated that evidence shows small clusters such as this are often the result of people not "strictly adhering" to the Scottish Government's coronavirus rules. Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Elaine Murray has also claimed "a couple of social gatherings which shouldn't have taken place may be implicated in the spread of this outbreak".
Our Political Reporter Greg Hoare asked the First Minister and Professor Leitch about these claims, and the concerns of one of the COVID-19 patients who has received abuse suggesting her household was not following the rules, when she says they were.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and Prof Leitch said no one should receive abuse.
Test results from the factories identified as 'high risk' workplaces in Annan are expected over the weekend.
The First Minister is expected to provide a further update on the coronavirus cluster in Dumfries and Galloway, and whether the five mile travel restriction there can be lifted in line with the rest of Scotland, on Monday.
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