A new positive test result has been recorded in Orkney for Covid19 bringing the total to 77.

Cases are rising in the UK including in Scotland.
The stats for Scotland published on 18th of June 2021are as follows:
- 950 new cases of COVID-19 reported
- 29,254 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
- 3.5% of these were positive
- 2 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
- 12 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 128 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 3,591,638 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 2,535,803 have received their second dose
In Orkney 12,443 ( 94.5%) of those aged 40+ have had their first dose of the Covid19 vaccine, 11,914 (90.5%) have had both doses. Due to the new variants, booster jags will very likely be needed.
People, wherever they live in Scotland, should keep to 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

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And another 3 cases newly reported which takes us to a cumulative total of 80 for Orkney. Only to be found on the PHS dashboard since the government thinks it is a clever idea to not provide regional updates on a weekend. Of course, who would want to worry the public when it is a weekend. Better to keep them in the dark so that they mingle over the weekend without masks or some physical distancing…
I know I am being sarcastic here… but given increased travel activity, waste water indicators etc. it does not come as a surprise…
So far, we have come through 2020 and the first half of this year relatively unharmed… but this is due to sheer luck. It could have been very different and with new variants on the rise things could change in an instant.
The seasonal effect has probably been underestimated (a new study has just been published) which not only includes that people spend more time outdoors, that people are usually fitter and healthier in summer and resist respiratory illnesses better etc.
Still, if case numbers continue to increase, the statistical risk increases that at some point it will affect the ones who have a poor response to vaccines, the ones who lost any immunity they may have had etc.
A simple maths/stats exercise for which no sophisticated modelling is needed, could be done by any clever pupil… or anybody with just common sense.
I am not urging everybody to stay at home… but I would just hope that everybody is really just a little bit more conscious in whatever they do… and especially how they do it.
Being aware of the weaker members of our society is not a nuisance, it is a virtue which we have to exercise if we want to call ourselves civilised.
I think this sudden rise was predictable but no less worrying. There’s no checks on folk coming in. I’m sure lots don’t do the two tests expected before travel. (Fiona G)
Fully agree, Fiona, many may not do the tests which are not mandatory. And there might even be some who may have booked their vehicle on the ferry in advance and would not really want to abandon the planned trip in the last minute because of an unpleasant test result…
By the way, is the announcement on the Orkney Ferries website about the North Isles disruptions somehow associated with the cases? Do you know? Because if so, they should make it clearer so that people would know if they may have had a contact whilst travelling and better stay isolated for a while to be on the safe side…