COVID-19

As a result of increasing numbers of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, Scottish Government has announced that: all household contacts of any confirmed COVID-19 case must isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status; people should limit the amount of social contact you have with other households – gather in groups of no more than 3 households; main family gatherings for the festive period have been recognised as important to people’s wellbeing, and currently, no limits are in place on these; however, rooms should be kept ventilated, and everyone should take lateral flow tests before, and after; people are also being urged to defer work Christmas parties.

Falkirk Council’s Resilience Unit has been working on their COVID-19 Asymptomatic (no symptoms) Testing Programme, which includes providing Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests and home kits to members of the public. They provide onsite asymptomatic testing at the Howgate Shopping Centre and at Falkirk Stadium, where packs of the 7 test home kits are also available.

The NHS Forth Valley Health Promotion Service has relaunched its COVID-19 Response Grants Scheme for 2021-22. Applications for up to £500 will be considered from organisations and groups across Forth Valley which support and connect communities to respond to COVID-19. Applications from diverse communities and grass-root organisations, especially those that aim to deliver new and innovative COVID-19 responsive activities, are particularly welcomed.

The COVID-19 workplace testing programme in Scotland has been expanded. Third sector organisations with 10 or more employees (which can include formal volunteers) can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing. This will help to identify emerging COVID-19 cases and stop transmission as Scotland moves beyond level 0. The testing offer will initially be in place until the end of September 2021.

includem has launched their new research report into the school experience in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report calls for schools to be underpinned by a children’s rights perspective, to ensure that children and young people can have their voices heard, increased provision of whole family support to “bridge the gap” between home and school, and the expansion of restorative practices to both build positive relationships and help young people feel they can put mistakes behind them. 

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Gregor Smith, is urging pregnant people to get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to protect them and their baby. Following a recent study showing evidence of increased hospitalisations, Dr Smith is encouraging all expectant parents to discuss the vaccine with their healthcare professionals so they can make a fully informed choice. The report also suggests the Delta variant is associated with an increased risk of severe illness among hospitalised pregnant people.

Scottish Government has released the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) letter to everyone on the highest risk list from COVID-19 (previously the shielding list). The letter provides further information on vaccines, including on their effectiveness in the highest risk group in Scotland, and the COVID-19 booster programme, along with supermarket priority slots, returning to work and vaccines for young people with health conditions.

Young people aged 16 – 17 years old living in mainland Scotland can now register for their COVID-19 vaccination online. Registration takes 5 – 10 minutes through the NHS Scotland portal; you will receive alerts and information digitally (via text or email).

NHS24 has announced a change in hours for their COVID-19 Special Helplines. The non-symptomatic COVID-19 Special Helpline, and NHS Inform’s general health information line, will operate 8am – 8pm each day from Monday 9th August. Both lines are still available 7 days a week by calling: for the non-symptomatic COVID-19 Special Helpline: 0800 028 2816; for the general health information line: 0800 22 44 88.