NHS Western Isles has recorded its largest Covid-19 outbreak to date, with more than 70 cases linked to the Isle of Lewis. The outbreak, now dubbed the “Lewis outbreak” by NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson, began at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, but quickly spread across Lewis. Mr Jamieson announced 70 cases on Lewis on Wednesday evening and a further two cases on Thursday night. 17/2/21 - Latest update from NHSWI Chief Exec Gordon Jamieson. 3 new cases of #COVID19 on Lewis. Whilst thankfully a number of people positive as part of the Stornoway outbreak have already recovered, we have now surpassed an outbreak total of 70 on Lewis & cases are across Lewis pic.twitter.com/XZs5dt17bC NHS Western Isles (@NHSWI) February 17, 2021
Woman rescued after horror cemetery cliff fall
The 28-year-old woman was found at the base of the cliff suffering from hypothermia before being taken to the Western Isles Hospital for further treatment.
Updated
A special rope rescue system was put in place to lift the woman back up the cliff face (Image: HM Coastguard)
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Another five people tested positive for Covid-19 in the Western Isles yesterday where stricter lockdown restrictions were brought in last week.
Four new cases are linked to Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, bringing the total to 23, with another case in Benbecula.
The islands were moved to Level 4 from Saturday in response to the outbreak. So far this year there have been 88 positive cases across the islands.
As well as those linked to the hospital, two other cases were confirmed in Stornoway in January, 50 in an outbreak in Barra, 9 in Benbecula and four in South Uist.
A cluster of 50 cases in Barra led to the island and neighbouring Vatersay being placed into Level 4 earlier this month.
The health board has now strongly rejected speculation that locum or agency staff were linked to the rise in cases.
‘We are proud of our staff’
In a statement, it said it was a “difficult, stressful and worrying time” for staff.
“To blame anyone, or point fingers at this time, is unhelpful. In particular to blame healthcare staff or the NHS for a move to Level 4 is unjustified. We are proud of our staff, many of whom have been working tirelessly and selflessly throughout this pandemic to prepare, plan, train and put themselves in the frontline, without a second thought, to care for any and every individual that needs our services, regardless of personal risk.