A spike in COVID cases that saw Perth and Kinross record its highest infection rate of the pandemic is starting to ease.
But NHS Tayside is taking no chances and has increased testing capacity after the health board region was named the COVID capital of Europe.
Community testing sites have been set up across the county this week.
The seven-day infection rate from June 27 to July 3 peaked at 554.1 cases per 100,000 , with 842 cases recorded in a week in Perth and Kinross.
That has now fallen to 406.1 cases per 100,000 from July 1 to July 8, with 617 cases recorded in Perth and Kinross over those seven days with a 10.1 per cent positive test rate.
That is still well above the Scottish national average seven-day infection rate for July 1 to July 8 of 367.9 per 100,000.
NHS Tayside currently has 60 COVID patients in hospital with 10 requiring critical care.
A spokesperson for the health board told the Perthshire Advertiser the patients are from all age ranges. Some have been fully vaccinated, some have had one dose, and some have not been vaccinated.
Last week, NHS Tayside set up a new COVID ward at Ninewells to deal with the increase in patients.
In response to the recent rise in COVID cases NHS Tayside has increased the number of testing sites.
The permanent testing site at Thimblerow Car Park in Perth is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
A mobile testing unit open from 10.30am to 4pm will tour Perth and Kinross this week .
It will be at:
Monday - Area offices/Library Pitlochry
Tuesday - Aberfeldy Community Fire Station
Wednesday - Atholl Street Car Park, Dunkeld
Thursday - Davie Park, Blairgowrie
Friday - Auchterarder Fire Station
Saturday - Kinross Fire Station
Sunday - Perth Community Fire Station
Vaccination drop-in clinics are running across Perth and Kinross for anyone over 18 who has not had their first vaccine or if it is eight weeks or more since their first vaccine. These are at:
Dewars Centre, Perth: Today – Sunday, July 18, 10am-6pm
Atholl Leisure Centre, Pitlochry: Monday, July 12 – Tuesday, July 13, 11am-5pm
Blairgowrie Town Hall: Thursday, July 15 – Sunday, July 18, 11am-5pm.
NHS Tayside’s director of public health Dr Emma Fletcher told the Perthshire Advertiser : “We have seen a slowly improving situation in Tayside over the past few days, however, we must remain cautious and we need everyone to work together to make this a sustained downward trend in the number of new infections.
“COVID-19 is still circulating widely throughout our communities and new cases continue to be identified every day.
“Our message remains the same - please get vaccinated, get tested regularly and keep following the FACTS guidance.
“Meet outdoors where possible and keep indoor areas well ventilated.”
