Health bosses are urging people to get a coronavirus booster jab and take a test when leaving the house after the Omicron variant arrived in the region.
Although there were 562 new cases in the region last week – down from 609 the week before – it is expected numbers will rise rapidly in the coming weeks.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s director of public health, Valerie White, said: “Unfortunately, we can expect cases of Covid-19 to increase in Dumfries and Galloway due to Omicron, in line with the rest of the country.
“We are expecting an increase in people requiring medical assistance in the region and this is from an existing position of huge strain right across our health and social care system.
“Beyond that, there’s also the impact that measures to limit the transmission of the virus and the impact of people falling ill with Covid or having to self-isolate as contacts will have on public and private services.
“This is why it’s so vital that everyone eligible gets their booster jag now, to give our region the best defence against the virus at this worrying time.
“Testing before we head out to situations where we are mixing with others is also incredibly important, as it gives us a chance to catch the virus before it has the chance to spread to others, multiplying the number of cases.”
Anyone aged 18 and over is now able to book an appointment to have their third dose while 16 and 17-year-olds can book their second.
People can book their booster jab online at https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp or by calling 0800 030 8013.
There will also be a drop in clinic in Castle Douglas Town Hall from 5pm to 8pm on December 22, aimed primarily at people aged over 40.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced new advice on Tuesday in a bid to slow down the spread of the new variant. People are encouraged to cut down on social contact before and after Christmas and should only meet up with a maximum of two other households.
The advice does not apply to people’s main Christmas celebration when there will be no limits to the size of household gatherings.
Ms Sturgeon also said that visits to care home residents shouldn’t involve more than two households at a time while hospital visits should only involve two people.
Retail and hospitality businesses will also have to take additional measures as social distancing is reintroduced.
■ Kirkcudbright Choral Society’s concert, due to take place on Sunday, has been cancelled following the advice.
