The area with the highest Covid-19 infection rate in Scotland has heard concerns that schools reopening and the move towards level 0 in terms of restrictions could “exacerbate” the problem.
The latest figures released by the Scottish Government confirmed that West Dunbartonshire has the highest covid-19 infection rate with 919 people per 100,000 testing positive for the virus in the last seven days.
Last week it was confirmed that infection rates have increased and then gradually declined again across Scotland and within the local authority.
During Thursday’s full council meeting councillor Jim Bollan said: “I would like to know if there is a link between the young people going back to school and the huge increase in live covid cases in West Dunbartonshire.”
Labour councillor Martin Rooney argued that as the schools only went back on Monday, August 16 it was unlikely this would have an effect on the rate of infection for at least two weeks.
He argued that it was possible West Dunbartonshire was suffering from the implementation of level zero which allowed all venues to reopen on August 9.
Councillor Rooney said: “It will take about three weeks before potential covid cases in schools will feed into the system.
“That’s what experts have said. I am happy for someone to go away and prove me wrong on that.
“I know we have the highest number of cases in Scotland again. Figures are going to increase before they go down again.
“We seem to be back at the top of the covid infection rates in Scotland following the changes on August 9. It will be interesting to see if this is exacerbated by the re-opening of the schools on August 16.”
West Dunbartonshire Council will continue to monitor the situation and work to prevent the spread of the virus.
