3 November 2020

NHS Borders’ Health Protection team, supported by Scottish Borders Council and SB Cares is currently managing a number of outbreaks of Covid-19 across the Borders.

One outbreak is a small number of cases associated with Borders General Hospital and home care services in the Greenlaw area.

A further five cases of the virus linked to the outbreak based around Jedburgh have been confirmed (unrelated to the Greenlaw area outbreak). These Jedburgh cases are linked to transmission within families where there has been existing Covid-19 cases, and bring the total number of confirmed cases in this outbreak to 26.

In addition an additional positive case has been recorded in a resident at Deanfield Care Home in Hawick bringing the number of people with a positive test in this outbreak to seven residents and one member of staff. Visiting to Deanfield remains suspended for the time being.

Incident management teams are in place to proactively manage these outbreaks and offer support and advice to the people affected and their families.

Director of Public Health Dr Tim Paterson said: “These outbreaks demonstrate that in common with all mainland Health Board areas across Scotland, we continue to see an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Borders on a daily basis.

“If you or someone you live with is self-isolating you should follow the guidance on the NHS Inform website carefully. Self-isolation means you should remain at home and shouldn’t go to work, school, public areas or use public transport. You shouldn’t go out to buy food or other essentials. You must stay at home and follow the physical distancing and hygiene advice for coronavirus.

"Should you need support while self-isolating please visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/CAHs or call 0300 100 1800.

“The good hygiene advice for coronavirus should always apply:

  • wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if your hands aren’t visibly dirty;
  • catch your coughs or sneezes in a disposable tissue and put it in the bin, or catch them in the crook of your elbow (NOT your hand) if you can’t reach a tissue, and then wash your hands; and
  • avoid touching your face, and especially your mouth, nose or eyes.”

Jen Holland, Chief Operating Officer of SB Cares, said: “We continue to support all our clients across the Scottish Borders and communicate regularly with affected clients and their families.

“SB Cares provides care to hundreds of people every single day through both our home care and residential care services. While we have implemented all infection control measures, over and above national guidance, there is always a risk of this highly contagious virus spreading, especially where any of our staff or clients are asymptomatic.

“I would like to thank all our clients, their families and of course our staff for their ongoing co-operation and support at such a challenging time for health and social care services, not just here in the Scottish Borders but across the country.”