A CORONAVIRUS outbreak at a Borders housing development has grown to 28 cases.

Dovecot Court, an ‘extra care’ setting in Peebles, has now had positive tests from 16 tenants and 12 members of staff.

The outbreak was first announced last Friday (November 20), when 13 tenants and 11 employees had tested positive.

But now the numbers have grown by four (three tenants and one employee), according to a joint spokesperson for NHS Borders, Scottish Borders Council and Eildon Housing.

Tenants at Dovecot Court receive support from staff working for SB Cares, the care provider operated by the council.

The joint spokesperson said: “Scottish Borders Council, SB Cares and Eildon Housing, working closely with NHS Borders, are supporting the tenants of Dovecot Court, their families and staff at this time.

“This includes the ongoing provision of care services and additional support such as meal provision, grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry services.”

SB Cares’ chief operating officer, Jen Holland, said: “We have robust contingency plans in place to ensure that our ongoing service provision to clients in Dovecot Court is maintained throughout this ongoing incident and that we can continue to safely support all tenants.

“We continue to communicate regularly with tenants and families and would like to thank them for their ongoing support and co-operation.

“There is no impact on any other SB Cares services in the Tweeddale area.”

Eildon Housing’s chief executive Nile Istephan said: “Eildon Housing continues to work extremely closely with the various partners to respond to this ongoing incident and ensure that all our tenants at Dovecot Court are provided with any support that is required at this challenging time.”

NHS Borders’ public health director, 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.”

The joint spokesperson added: “You can book a test either by going online to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 0800 028 2816.

“While you wait for your test, all of your household members should self-isolate.”