Number of Covid-19 cases associated with North Lanarkshire call centre reaches 20

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases associated with a Sitel call handling facility at Eurocentral has now risen to 20.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor SmithChief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith

This includes 15 positive cases that have been identified among staff, as well as five cases amongst close contacts.

All Sitel staff have been advised to isolate for 14 days and take a Covid-19 test. A total of 393 test results from staff have been reported so far.

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An investigation by NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council has identified a number of secondary locations with links to the call centre, which carries out contact tracing for the NHS Test and Trace program

They are working with all affected premises to ensure appropriate cleaning and safety measures are taken forward, as well as identifying any close contacts in line with Test and Protect guidelines.

The additional locations are: Owen’s Bar in Coatbridge, The Railway Tavern and Merlin’s Bar in Motherwell, Costa at Bell Quadrant in Carfin, and END clothing store in Glasgow.

Dr David Cromie, consultant in public health medicine, NHS Lanarkshire, added: “Our public health team, alongside the council, continues to work closely with the employer Sitel and staff in the building who have been encouraged to have tests carried out.

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“NHS Lanarkshire’s incident management team has been meeting regularly to investigate. We are taking all necessary steps to identify those who may have been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 and to mitigate the risk of onward transmission.

“We would like to reassure the local community that appropriate measures are being implemented.”

With the exception of identified close contacts, people who have attended those locations are not asked to isolate, but to be vigilant and immediately isolate and book a test if they develop symptoms.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “We would like to thank the premises concerned for their co-operation and for their commitment to following national guidance to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.

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“The incident management team believe the risk to the public of Covid-19 is low given staff in these locations were wearing appropriate PPE.

“However, this is an ongoing process and will continue to work with premises as and when further cases develop.

“Please follow national guidance on the NHS Inform website if you have been in contact with a confirmed case or develop symptoms.”

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