NHS Fife can confirm a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to a large evening event at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews.
Fife’s Health Protection Team is working closely with colleagues in Fife’s Council’s environmental health service and the management of the hotel to reduce the risk for further spread of the virus.
Enhanced contact tracing is currently ongoing to identify the known close contacts of all positive cases in order that they can be given appropriate public health advice and instructed to self-isolate.
NHS Fife is asking any individuals who were present at the event at Fairmont Hotel on the evening of Saturday 04 December 2021 to be especially vigilant of the symptoms of COVID -19 – these include a new, continuous cough; a fever; or a loss or change in the sense of smell or taste. Anyone experiencing any such symptoms, regardless of how mild, should immediately self-isolate and arrange a test. Information on how to do this is available at: www.nhsfife.org/testing.
NHS Fife’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Esther Curnock, said:
“We are aware of cases of COVID-19 linked to a particular evening event held at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews on Saturday 04 December.
“We are working closely with our colleagues in the local environmental health service, and with the management of the Fairmont Hotel to reduce the risk of more widespread transmission of the virus.
“The evidence at this stage suggests at least some of the those who are known to have tested positive are likely to have been carrying the omicron variant of the virus, which we know is highly transmissible. It is vital, therefore, that all of those who attended event remain vigilant of the signs and symptoms of the virus, and isolate immediately should any of these develop.
“The advice to local people, however, remains the same as it has for much of the response to the pandemic. Simple steps, such as wearing face coverings, ensuring indoor spaces are well ventilated and thoroughly cleaning our hands surfaces regularly, all contribute towards reducing our risk of catching and spreading the virus.
“There is clear evidence both here in Fife and elsewhere, that vaccination considerably reduces your risk of coming to serious harm and so we are continuing to urge those who haven’t yet been fully vaccinated to take up that offer as soon as possible.“
Testing for COVID is absolutely free and can potentially help prevent many more people catching the virus. Full details of current COVID-19 testing sites in Fife and their opening times are available at: www.nhsfife.org/testing.
A range of welfare support is available to people required to self-isolate, including financial support, food and medication delivery, and help with some caring responsibilities. For more information, visit: www.fife.gov.uk/covidassistance.
