A new positive test result has been recorded in Orkney for Covid19 bringing the cumulative total to 75.
The stats for Scotland for 2nd of June 2021 are as follows:
- 677 new cases of COVID-19 reported
- 26,258 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
- 2.8% of these were positive
- 1 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
- 10 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 114 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 3,286,261 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 2,106,177 have received their second dose
It was announced yesterday, 1st of June, by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, that easing of restrictions will continue from this Saturday 5th of June.
You can find out more about that here:
What is Level 0 ? #Covid Update
Across the UK cases of covid have been on the increase recently leading to a warning by Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, that we are in “”in the foothills of a third wave”.
152,068 people have died in the UK (up to 1st June 2021) where Covid19 has been recorded on the death certificate. Across the world the deaths due to covid are now a staggering, 3,577, 677. The UK has one of the worst death rates for its population size. Some countries, who took precautions against Covid19 early, have not seen this dreadful death toll – for example Taiwan has recorded 137 deaths and Vietnam 48. The USA now has a death toll of 595,000.
As people mix more there are concerns with large events like the Euros in Glasgow taking place soon.
As Orkney moves to level 0 on Saturday and more visitors arrive to the islands they are requested to take 2 tests before travelling>
At every level of restrictions people are asked to remember FACTS
- wear a face covering
- avoid crowded places
- clean hands and surfaces regularly
- stay 2m away from other people
- self-isolate and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- download the Protect Scotland app
Link here for those requiring lateral flow tests: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland
Reporter: Fiona Grahame
Categories: News
What we should probably also be told:
1. It is unlikely that Orkney has just one positive case. Anybody who is keeping track on the waste water monitoring (in combination with other monitoring of infection dynamics across Scotland) saw this coming.
2. Lateral-flow-testing before travelling to the islands makes sense. However, this should be mandatory and not only a recommendation. And we must be aware that results only provide information about this one specific moment in time when the test was taken. A negative test result is not a carte blanche.
3. New research from Austria suggests that antigen tests do not pick up around 50% of infections which occur in vaccinated people due to their reduced viral load. The latter may prevent them from becoming ill in many cases, but they can still spread it.
I do not wish to spread panic and not everybody wants to become a recluse for the foreseeable future (I do but this is a personal choice due to care responsibilities which do not allow me to take any risks).
But, consideration for others means that our own personal freedom ends where it could harm others. Where has all the solidarity with the vulnerable gone which was there in March 2020? Out the window?
We know that the vaccines help, but they do have limitations. Also, there are many vulnerable folk out there who would love to get the vaccine but cannot do so for sound medical reasons. Hence, they remain completely unprotected.
Therefore it is a civic duty to behave in a way which keeps infection levels down.
Only because we can legally now do more things, nothing is forcing us to do them all. We can still participate in life if we do stick to some physical distancing rules (yes, I prefer the term physical distancing, it is not social distancing), if we preferably gather outdoors instead of indoors and if we do not abandon masks.
A piece of cloth and a safe distance to others is a small price to pay to keep life buzzing… or is anybody keen on last resort lockdowns… again?
Well, well, well. Here we have it – a new positive case in Orkney.
We went for a walk last Sunday, after which we went to the loo at the Sands O’ Wright – there were seven camper vans parked up there. Not in the car park, but parked up along the top of the bank. Taking into account the jabs, and how things are getting better, it’s not visitors coming that I object to so much – it’s that there isn’t compulsory proof of testing involved before they come.
Meanwhile, this makes me wonder – again – about feeling more prepared to …get my hair cut, go out for a meal etc. Live our life something like we used to live it.
I question the wisdom of the St. Magnus Festival events which are being held indoors. We won’t be going, that’s for sure – and we live here!
We’ll just have to work with it as it is for a while longer, I suppose.
As with you, S. Davidson – I can’t risk it, and Mike doesn’t risk it, for my sake.
Trouble is, all those camper vans also make the place look – not as it should – that’s the best way I can think of to describe it.
And then I write about walks and how lovely Orkney is, tempting the buggers to come here! Yes, come here and stay in hotels, B&B’s and the self-catering which isn’t depriving anyone of a place to live!.
We had a holiday in Skye planned last spring, then Covid hit and we cancelled it. Didn’t go this year either.
We were weighing it up for next year – depending on how things panned out, but have decided not to as we both feel that the people who live there will need time to get over their very understandable response to being invaded.
I heave a big sigh.