COVID-19 Outbreak Linked to Premises in Dingwall

26th December 2020

NHS Highland is aware of an outbreak of COVID-19 linked to the Mallard pub in Dingwall. At present, we are aware of 12 cases that are linked to the premises but we would expect this to increase. NHS Highland's Health Protection Team is carrying out contact tracing and investigations are ongoing in conjunction with Highland Council's Environmental Health team. The pub closed voluntarily on Tuesday 22nd December and a deep clean was undertaken.

As a precautionary measure we would ask customers who visited the Mallard Pub on Friday 18th December to remain vigilant for the symptoms of COVID-19. The typical symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a new continuous cough and/or

• a high temperature or fever

• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

However, people with COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting. Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a test.

Additionally, whilst we would not normally advise testing of people without symptoms, given the high number of cases linked to the outbreak, we would advise all customers who visited the pub on the 18th December to get a test for COVID-19 in addition to remaining vigilant for symptoms. If symptoms were to develop at a later point, you should seek a further test.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone across Highland that we are seeing an increase in cases across the Highlands and that the safest way to spend Christmas is to spend this with your own household in your own home. Everyone should continue to adhere to physical distancing guidelines, wear a face-covering when in enclosed spaces, clean your hands and surfaces regularly and immediately self-isolate and seek a test if you develop symptoms.

Further information on COVID-19 and how to access testing can be found at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test