A total of 73 new COVID-19 cases were identified in Dumfries and Galloway within the week ending 15th November.
This was lower than the 98 additional cases in the previous week, but COVID-19 cases are continuing to appear across the region.
The new cases resulted in 373 further close contacts being identified, and again this is lower in number than the 394 contacts identified in the previous week. All close contacts were advised to self-isolate.
In the week ending 15th November a total of 3216 COVID-19 tests were carried out, compared with 3403 in the week before.
The locally calculated positivity rate has fallen to around 2.5 per cent down from 3.1 percent. Positive COVID-19 cases are present across the region’s four locality areas – Annandale and Eskdale, Nithsdale, Stewartry and Wigtownshire.
In addition, we are continuing to see community transmission, with evidence that people identified as close contacts of cases are going on to develop COVID-19.
COVID-19 is highly transmissible, and no one should be blamed if they develop the coronavirus.
However, it’s important that everyone is following the national guidance around wearing of face coverings, good hygiene, physical distancing, not meeting other households in their homes and self-isolating and arranging a test if experiencing symptoms.
These are the best measures to help prevent the spread, and to protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our services.