'Very marked rise' in Covid cases in Dumfries and Galloway fuels vaccination push

Scotland's overall case numbers are rising Credit: PA

A "very marked rise" in Covid cases in Dumfries and Galloway is leading to a push for more vaccinations.

In the week from 27 February to 6 March, coronavirus cases rose in the area from 858 to 1261 per 100,000.

This was ahead of further booster jabs for people aged 75 and over, and first dose vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11. 

Director of Public Health Valerie White said: "We’re seeing a very marked increase in COVID cases within Dumfries and Galloway at the moment, while in Scotland as a whole numbers are going up again. 

"At the current time tests are free and easily available, and we continue to ask people to test regularly – especially before meeting people who are vulnerable, and before visiting a hospital or care home. 

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"People are still requiring hospital treatment for COVID, and like the rest of the country we’re closely monitoring this situation as restrictions continue to ease. 

"The fundamental truth is that vaccination significantly helps to prevent serious illness, so we would repeat the call to get fully vaccinated – and it’s never too late to start, and give yourself a degree of protection."

Upcoming vaccination drop-in sessions are as follows: 

  • Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall – Thursday 10 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Moffat Cottage Hospital – Thursday 10 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital – Thursday 10 March – 13.30 – 15.30  

  • Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital – Thursday 10 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall, Dumfries – Friday 11 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Canonbie Village Hall– Friday 11 March – 13.30 – 15.45  

  • Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer – Friday 11 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Castle Douglas Town Hall, – Friday 11 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Thornhill Rehab Suite – Monday 14 March – 13:30 – 15:30  

  • Annan, Charles Street – Monday 14 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer – Monday 14 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall, Dumfries – Tuesday 15 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Annan, Charles Street – Tuesday 15 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer – Tuesday 15 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Sanquhar Community Hall – Wednesday 16 March – 13:30 – 15:30  

  • Annan, Charles Street – Wednesday 16 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital – Wednesday 16 March – 13.30 – 15.30  

  • Castle Douglas Town Hall – Wednesday 16 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall, Dumfries – Thursday 17 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Moffat Cottage Hospital – Thursday 17 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital – Thursday 17 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital – Thursday 17 March – 13.30 – 15.30  

  • Vaccine Centre, Mountainhall, Dumfries – Friday 18 March – 13:30 – 16:30  

  • Canonbie Village Hall – Friday 18 March – 13.30 – 15.45  

  • Waverley Medical Centre – Friday 18 March – 13.30 – 16.30  

  • Castle Douglas Town Hall – Friday 18 March – 13.30 – 16.30