Another covid positive test has been recorded in Orkney bringing the cumulative total in the islands now to 87.

In Orkney 16,696 (91.5%) of people aged 18+ have had their first dose of the covid vaccination, 14,020 (76.8%) have had both doses.

In Scotland as a whole the stats published on 27th of June 2021 are as follows:

• 2,639 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 31,695 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 8.9% of these were positive
• 1 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive (noting that Register Offices are now generally closed at weekends) 
• 17 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 196 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 3,747,510 people have received the first dose of the covid vaccination and 2,679,357 have received their second dose

Statement from NHS Orkney

Advice For Visitors coming to Orkney and Shetland – June 2021

We are working hard to keep our island communities safe from Covid and we ask you, as a visitor, to take care and help us. 

Both NHS Shetland and NHS Orkney are made up of small teams who have worked tirelessly over the last 15 months to contain the pandemic and keep our communities safe. But a surge in Covid cases puts the local health service, and other support services, under huge strain.  

In Shetland and Orkney our hospital facilities have no Intensive Care Units, if anyone required intensive care facilities, or other specialist clinical services, for Covid then they would have to be transferred by air ambulance to a mainland hospital, more than likely in Aberdeen. 

To reduce the risk of unknowingly bringing Covid into our islands, please ensure that you take the following precautions before you travel: 

We ask that you: 

• Complete a lateral flow device (LFD) test three days before you travel; 
• Repeat this again on the day of travel; 

• Delay your trip and book a PCR test if your LFD test is positive – even if you have no symptoms; 
• Delay your trip, self-isolate and book a PCR test if you have Covid symptoms (new continuous cough or high temperature or loss/ change in sense of taste or smell). 

When you arrive and move around our islands please follow the Public Health guidance to keep us all safe. 

This includes:

• • Wearing a face-covering where required;
  • Social distancing where required;   
  • Washing hands;   
  • Meeting with others outside, if you can;  
  • Ensuring good ventilation if indoors;   
  • Ensuring you have been vaccinated if eligible;   
  • Doing regular lateral flow tests if you have no symptoms.   

Orkney 

Should you develop Covid symptoms while in Orkney, please immediately self-isolate and call the Covid Assessment Centre on 01856 888211 and you will be advised what to do. 

For more information go to: https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/ 

Shetland 

If you develop Covid symptoms in Shetland immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by going to www.shb.scot.nhs.uk. Follow the button to the referral form.  

More Shetland specific Covid information can be found at: https://www.coronavirus.shetland.nhs.scot/  

In both health boards if you become ill and need medical intervention, please call 111 or, for an emergency, 999. Do not visit a health centre or go to A&E if you have Covid symptoms. 

Useful Links  

• For advice please visit NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19 

• Accessing rapid LFD tests: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-get-a-test-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms 

  Scottish Government Travel  guidance: 

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport/ 

You should:

• 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