A HELENSBURGH funeral director has insisted that stringent precautions were followed prior to a private gathering in Cove and Kilcreggan which has been linked to a cluster of Covid-19 cases.

Thirteen people were confirmed as having tested positive for coronavirus following an event at Cove and Kilcreggan Bowling Club last week, while one staff member at Kilcreggan Primary School is self isolating after also testing positive.

NHS Highland’s health protection team confirmed on Monday evening that there had been an outbreak on the peninsula, believed to have stemmed from a gathering at the local bowling club after the funeral of Mark Deery on Monday, September 7.

Earlier that day John Neal from the bowling club had stated that they were aware of two positive tests for Covid-19 arising from the event, but the NHS statement confirmed the outbreak was more widespread.

READ MORE: NHS confirms Covid-19 outbreak linked to Cove and Kilcreggan Bowling Club

Aiming to answer speculation in some media outlets linking his firm to the outbreak, Jim Auld, who was in charge of the funeral arrangements, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the family of the late Mark Deery at this time.

“I would like to clarify that none of the Deery family attended our offices at any point, all arrangements were made remotely.”

Mr Auld, who lives in Kilcreggan, continued: “The last few months have been an extremely difficult time for bereaved families and as funeral professionals we have strived to give families the best possible care and attention in this strangest of situations, taking stringent precautions in all aspects of the business.

“We also take contact details of everyone attending our office.

“We follow the guidelines very strictly, asking any clients not to come to the office or indeed attend a funeral if they have any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms.”

Reacting to the outbreak, one Kilcreggan resident told the Advertiser: “It’s a close-knit community. Most people know someone who was at the event, or knows someone else who was.

“We live on a small peninsula and the worry is just how widespread this is.

“It was about a week after the event that the news filtered around, and a lot of people since have been going for tests as a precaution.

“It’s the vulnerable members of the community that you worry about most.”

Following confirmation of the Covid-19 case at Kilcreggan Primary, Argyll and Bute Council wrote to parents to say that the affected staff member was last at school on Wednesday, September 9, and that, as with the outbreak connected to the bowling club, contact tracing is under way.

Parents have been told they should continue to send their children to school if they and their family are well.

READ MORE: Vilage venues announce temporary closures following local Covid-19 cases

Two peninsula venues have already shut their doors temporarily after news of the cluster of Covid-19 cases broke.

The Knockderry Country House Hotel, in Shore Road, Cove, has been closed temporarily, with owners Beth and Murdo MacLeod hoping to re-open next week.

Meanwhile, Cove Burgh Hall has also postponed its planned re-opening to local community groups due to the sudden rise in cases in the area.

The Creggans Pub in Kilcreggan, however, has said that it’s “business as usual” despite a “scare” last week.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page on Saturday read: “Subject to rumours going about the village there has not been an outbreak of Covid-19 in the pub.

“We had a scare on Thursday but the pub is deep cleaned every day.

“I have spoke to the relevant authorities and they are happy with our response. It is business as usual.

“However if you are feeling at all unwell then please do not come to the pub.”

Closer to Helensburgh, however, the doors of the Perch Cafe in Garelochhead have been shut for a fortnight as a precaution.

The cafe’s owners said in a social media post on Tuesday: “Apologies, we have decided to have a wee hiatus (14 days) as a precautionary measure against Covid spread.

“We have been in contact with public health and provided all relevant information and adhered to all advisory notes.

“It is simply a precautionary measure and hope you understand.

“In light of developments in the area can we kindly ask you all to follow NHS guidance?”

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