The rise in positive cases across every Health Board area in Scotland is why it is so important for everyone to continue to take care when they are out and about.
The figures released today 29th of December are as follows:
- 1,895 new cases of COVID-19 reported
- 14,179 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 14.4% of these were positive
- 7 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive (noting that Register Offices have been closed over the public holidays)
- 65 people are in intensive care with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 1,092 people are in hospital with recently confirmed COVID-19
The pressure on our NHS services and on Health and Care workers is enormous.
The virus has a time lag between when people catch it, become infectious and when they have symptoms (if any), then getting a test done.
This means that today’s figures are before we had the relaxation on Christmas Day.
Orkney recorded another positive covid case on Boxing Day bringing the cumulative total to 39. The Western Isles also recorded 2 more positive cases.
Both Shetland and Dumfries and Galloway have recorded sharp spikes in numbers.

These were areas which previously were in tier 1 where people and businesses had more freedoms.
What is happening in Shetland is a stark reminder to Orkney Islands Council so keen to return schools earlier than the rest of Scotland, before we see what the implications of the easing of Christmas Day restrictions and the people who have all travelled to the islands has had. Orkney Islands Council Seeks Earlier Return for Schools and Nurseries #Covid19 Update
Particularly we need to be aware of the huge stresses being placed on hospitals as the number of covid postive patients rises. This threatens the restoration of many other procedures which may have to be delayed if the numbers continue to rise.

Click on this link for additional data about the number of positive cases in Care Homes in Scotland and staff absences.
And this link for the data on cases and hospital admissions.
These figures are alarming. It is our responsibility to follow the public health guidance and to observe FACTS

And if you can please download the free NHS Scotland contact tracing app to your phone: Protect Scotland

Reporter: Fiona Grahame
Categories: Uncategorized