NHS Grampian is getting worried about the increasing number of covid-19 cases.

At the end of May the numbers of cases identified each day were around eight or nine each day, leading to a perception that covid-19 had ceased to be a particular problem in Grampian. However, since then the number of cases has been steadily rising, with 34 cases reported for 9 June. Cases are now doubling approximately every six to seven days.

NHS Grampian says the objective now must be to delay the speed of the rise of this third wave for as long as possible and to use this period of delay to get as many people as possible vaccinated, ideally with two doses of the vaccine.

Testing, particularly asymptomatic testing, is key to interrupting the spread. In addition to the currently available testing centres a mobile testing centre is opening in Banchory and Stonehaven from 12 to 16 June, and a testing service is opening in Aboyne Area Office from 11 to 18 June. Details of how to arrange a test are at https://www.nhsgrampian.org/covid-19/covid-19-public-information/subpages/covid-19-community-testing/

LFD tests can also be picked up from participating community pharmacies. You can find the nearest pharmacy at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/findatestcenter.html

So what can people do to help?

• When invited people should go for the vaccination. Now that we are vaccinating younger age groups there is a significant proportion of appointments that are not being taken up. Younger people are still at risk of hospitalisation and of developing long covid and should not assume that they don’t need to get vaccinated.

• Just because people are allowed to do some things does not mean that they should do these things. So people should:
o Avoid unnecessary travel outwith their own area, and especially to the Central Belt and to England. If you do need to travel for your work or indeed for a family celebration participate in regular testing in addition to usual precautions.
o Avoid crowded indoor places. If it looks too crowded, it is too crowded.o Limit the numbers of people mixing at home.
o Continue with the usual precautions of social distancing and use of face coverings. Apart from mixing in households these precautions still apply in shops, public transport, circulation areas in public buildings and workplaces.

• Hospitality venues should continue to comply with the covid requirements. Good ventilation and physical distancing are still required even in level 2.

• Businesses should consider whether or not they wish to close voluntarily, particularly in hot spot areas.