Covid patient from Barra being emergency airlifted to hospital
23 January 2021
An ill coronavirus patient on Barra is being urgently flown to hospital tonight (Saturday).
The individual is being airlifted to Stornoway by coastguard helicopter.
They are the fifth person on the island to require an emergency airlift since the outbreak began nearly two weeks ago.
Tonight there are 48 people with covid associated with the spread of the virus on Barra. Over 160 people close contacts have been identified.
A single new case reported today is a contact of a previous case.
Gordon Jamieson, chief executive of NHS Western Isles said: “Tonight - since the outbreak began - our fifth emergency retrieval is underway from Barra.
“Our thoughts are with the patient and their family.”
He stressed: “The message for the wider public is please do not get complacent.
“Please continue to follow the rules.”
