NHS Lanarkshire would like to continue to offer reassurance following a cluster of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the area over the last few days.
At present, there are 15 Covid-19 cases associated with Sitel call handling facility in Bellshill, plus a further five cases arising from linked contacts. This is an increase in one case in those who worked at the facility from yesterday. At this point, the vast majority of people at the site have been tested and received their results.
There are a number of secondary locations where staff at Sitel affected by Covid-19 are also employed or have visited. These additional locations as highlighted in today’s Scottish Government First Minister briefing are:
- Owen’s Bar in Coatbridge
- The Railway Tavern in Motherwell
- Costa at the Bell Quadrant in Carfin
- END clothing store in Glasgow
- Merlin’s Bar in Motherwell
Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire’s consultant in public health medicine, would like to reassure the local community who may have visited these places in recent times.
Dr Cromie said: “NHS Lanarkshire’s public health team believe the risk to the public of Covid-19 is extremely low.
“If you have visited any of the locations and don’t have any symptoms, then you are not being asked to isolate. However, we would ask you to be vigilant and follow public health advice.
“The advice remains the same, follow national guidance on the NHS Inform website.
“NHS Lanarkshire’s public health team and North Lanarkshire Council are working with all affected premises to ensure that appropriate test and protect is followed in line with Scottish government advice. Thus far, test and protect is proving extremely successful in identifying people who were in significant contact with others suppressing the virus.
“The Lanarkshire incident management team has been meeting regularly to investigate any developments and we are taking all of the necessary steps to identify those who may have been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 and to mitigate the risk of onward transmission to others.”
