COVID-19 infection rate reaches record high in Perth and Kinross as cases surge across region

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Perth and Kinross will see many COVID restrictions removed from Monday, July 19, it was confirmed today. However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did caveat the announcement that the country will move to level zero on July 19 "with modifications".One of these mitigations is that mandatory face coverings will remain in place "for some time to come".

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Perth and Kinross ’s seven day positivity rate currently sits at 550.8 per 100,000 in the week ending July 4 but that is actually a slight drop from July 3 after constant rises since June 17.

Perth and Kinross and wider Tayside. Chief superintendent Phil Davison started his new role on July 5 and takes over from fellow CS Andrew Todd, who is set to retire later this month.

Perth and Kinross. Both residents passed away from the virus between June 28 and July 4, according to the latest National Records of Scotland (NRS) statistics.It marks the third and fourth deaths registered in the region this month with two more residents passing away from the virus between June 14-20.The number of deaths in the region, where COVID is mentioned on the death certificate, this year now stands at 123.

NHS Lanarkshir e Heather Knox described a dire situation with people visiting accident and emergency units on the rise leaving staff unable to cope. As a result of the increased pressures on services the health board may need to "pull back on some of our elective care services".A gold command meeting is expected to take place today where solutions will be identified in order to keep the situation under control as much as possible.

Oldham has overtaken Manchester as the borough with the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester.

Perth and Kinross has more than tripled over the past two weeks. It comes as the World Health Organisation data shows Tayside has become the COVID capital of Europe with the current highest rates of infection.

Perth and Kinross GP surgeries are seeing a surge in cases not seen before. Patients who have been storing up health issues, awaiting surgery and suffering mental health problems during the COVID pandemic are now turning in their droves to health centres for help.

Perth and Kinross Council was asked to agree a revised version of rules governing how meetings are conducted when it met virtually on June 23.

Perth and Kinross have been added by NHS Tayside as the health board tries to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control. Cases have risen sharply in Perth and Kinross over the past week, with the current seven-day infection rate sitting at 332.3 per 100,000 people - a record high for the region.

Perth and Kinross have applied for EU settlement status before the deadline passes on Wednesday, June 30. An update was provided to PKC’s audit committee on Wednesday after concerns were raised last week over issues with providing face-to-face support due to COVID.

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Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBusan-set chase thriller “Hard Hit” this weekend became the first local film to head the South Korean box office in more than a month.

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Perth and Kinross have breathed a sigh of the relief as the region looks towards ‘Freedom Day’. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week unveiled a new road map to ease COVID restrictions in the coming weeks.