Coronavirus: Karaoke night linked to COVID-19 outbreak as pub customers told to self-isolate
Written by News on 16/09/2020
A karaoke night at a Scottish pub has been linked to an outbreak of coronavirus cases.
Health officials have now urged anyone who attended the event at the Foresters Pub in Pathhead, Midlothian, on 5 September to self isolate.
Staff at the pub posted a video on its Facebook page showing the venue being deep cleaned with a “COVID-19 fog spray”.
NHS Lothian has not confirmed how many coronavirus cases have been linked to the karaoke night but warned music in venues “can encourage people to raise their voices which makes it easier for the virus to be transmitted”.
“We have seen transmission of the virus among patrons who were at The Foresters Pub in Pathhead on September 5 when a karaoke event was held,” public health consultant Dr Duncan McCormick said.
“All those who have tested positive so far have been contacted by the national test and protect team and they and their contacts continue to self-isolate at home.
“A risk assessment has been done and we want everyone who was there at the karaoke event to self-isolate to help reduce the risk of onward spread.
“We know cases of COVID-19 are rising throughout Scotland and it is absolutely vital that that we all do everything we can to turn this around.”
The health board also confirmed a small number of people at Drylaw Police station in Edinburgh have tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile a statement on the website of Knox Academy in East Lothian said “there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19” within the school.
“A detailed risk assessment has been carried out by the school and Health Protection to identify any close contacts,” the statement said.
“The school remains open and if your young person has not been contacted then they should continue to attend school if they remain well.”
A further 267 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Scotland on Tuesday, with one new reported death.
Across the UK, the government announced a further 3,105 infections and said another 27 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, bringing the UK’s total to 41,664.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,500 deaths registered in the UK where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Karaoke night linked to COVID-19 outbreak as pub customers told to self-isolate
