Coronavirus outbreak at Scottish Covid-19 test and trace call centre ‘leaves seven people ill’

A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated at a Scottish Covid-19 test-and-trace call centre. 

Measures have been brought in by North Lanarkshire’s health board to try and suppress the outbreak.

One employee said they believed at least seven colleagues had tested positive. 

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about ‘potentially linked cases’ of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday.

A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated at a Scottish Covid-19 test-and-trace call centre 

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: ‘We became aware this morning of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire.

‘We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.’

The news comes as Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – the highest increase in almost a month.

A further 27 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in Britain today, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,300 

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about ‘potentially linked cases’ of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday

Three of these were in the Lanarkshire health board area.

This figure has now risen in each of the last five days – up from three on Tuesday – although no further deaths of people with the disease have been recorded.

It is the highest record for new cases since June 21, when there were 26 positive test results.

Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch previously said he would not be concerned with fluctuating figures when there was a recorded spike of 21 new cases on Saturday.

He told BBC Scotland: ‘I expect day-to-day variation and the next thing I look at is the spread around the country.

‘So 21 in one small town would worry me much more than 21 spread around the country – and these 21 are spread around the country.’

A further 27 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in Britain today, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths during the pandemic to 45,300. 

It comes after track-and-trace staff have failed to reach half of people who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients in Blackburn – as the town hurtles towards a local lockdown.

Professor Dominic Harrison – public health director of Blackburn with Darwen Council – revealed the figures and warned of an ‘exponential growth’ of new infections if the system did not become more efficient.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 he said the Lancashire area faces a ‘rising tide’ of infections.