The public is being urged to not drop their guard as positive cases of Covid19 continue to rise. Today’s figures also saw the first increase in Orkney for several days bringing in the cumulative total in the islands to 41.

This week vaccinations started for those over 80 but it will be into May before those under 50 receive their first dose. That also depends on supply of the vaccine.

England went into a total lockdown and mainland Scotland, where all local authorities were already in level 4, is also in lockdown. Schools are only open for face to face learning for vulnerable children and those of key workers. Schools will be delivering online learning with those who cannot access that being given packs of materials.

The rise in positive cases whilst disappointing is not surprising. Restrictions were eased for Christmas Day allowing much more mixing, there is a more infectious strain of the virus and, although illegal except for essential purposes, people have been travelling to and from Scotland.

The virus is transmitted by people and when more people get together and where travel continues from one area into another – the virus then has the opportunity to spread – which it does.

The stats for Scotland for the 6th of January are as follows:

• 2,039 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 21,101 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 10.5% of these were positive
• 68 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
• 95 people are in intensive care with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 1,384 people are in hospital with recently confirmed COVID-19

And for the UK – data up to 5th of January 2021 the number of deaths

Deaths within 28 days of positive test

That day’s total for the UK was

830  Daily number of deaths within 28 days of first positive test, reported on Tuesday, 5 January 2021.
Bringing the total by that measurement to 76,305

Deaths with COVID-19 on the death certificate for the UK

3270 — Weekly number of deaths where COVID-19 is mentioned as a cause on the death certificate, registered during the week ending Friday, 18 December 2020.
Bringing the total by that measurement in the UK to 82,624

In mainland Scotland people are advised to remain at home and only go out for essential purposes.

It will be many months before most of us receive the first dose of the vaccination giving us some protection. The only way we can protect ourselves and other is by following FACTS.

And to download the free NHS contact tracing app: Protect Scotland

For more information on the vaccination programme in Orkney: Covid Vaccinations Orkney