A WORKER at a care home hit by Covid-19 on Skye has tested positive for the virus again.
NHS Highland confirmed the staff member at Home Farm, Portree, had been told to self-isolate while contact tracing was being carried out.
Further staff members will be re-tested after the new case, with the health board saying results will be issued “as soon as they are available”.
The care home, which was the subject of a court hearing after 10 residents died in its coronavirus outbreak, is now shut to new admissions.
NHS Highland said if a person receives a positive test after recovering from the virus it doesn’t necessarily mean they are infectious, but a “precautionary approach” must be taken.
A statement from the health board said: “Evidence is emerging internationally about Covid-19 and it is now recognised that some people have prolonged positive swab results and others can have intermittent negative and positive results over many weeks.
“As such, an ongoing positive result does not mean that an individual is still infectious or that they pose a risk to others.
“However, when combined with new symptoms, it is necessary to adopt a precautionary approach as it is not possible to exclude the potential of a new infection or reactivation.
“There are no other cases of confirmed Covid-19 infection in the local community or on the rest of Skye and we do not believe there to be an increased risk of Covid-19 infection to the wider community at this time.
“However, the virus can recur even in rural communities and so 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 if you develop symptoms.”
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