A BORDERS town has suffered a coronavirus outbreak involving 17 new cases linked to a care provider.

NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) have announced the outbreak in Jedburgh today (October 26).

The cases are linked to "family groups and home care services provided by SB Cares", according to the NHS and SBC.

Not all of the affected people live in Jedburgh.

The NHS Test and Protect team is currently contacting people who have tested positive and their close contacts.

SB Cares chief operating officer Jen Holland said: “We have contingency plans in place to ensure that our ongoing service provision to clients in Jedburgh is maintained and that we can continue to safely support all of our clients.”

NHS Borders’ director of public health, Tim Patterson, said: “Whilst the level of COVID-19 infections in the Borders remains low compared to other areas, it is still essential that everyone remains vigilant for the symptoms of COVID-19 and follows the Scottish Government guidance and public health advice available at NHS Inform.

“If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, which are a new continuous cough, a fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater) and/or a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste you should self-isolate immediately and visit NHS Inform or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test.

“A new continuous cough is defined as if you are coughing a lot for more than one hour, or you have been coughing three or more times in 24 hours.

"If you normally have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

“Whilst you wait for your test all of your household members must self-isolate. This is really important to prevent potential spread of this highly contagious virus.”

Tests can be booked at: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 0800 028 2816.