The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney now stands at 141 as another new case was recorded today.

On 21/07/2021, PHS (Public Health Scotland) noted that no data has been received from the NHS Orkney laboratory since 19/07/2021. PHS are working with NHS Orkney to resolve this issue.

Orkney Islands Council through its harbour’s department has decided to welcome cruise ships back to the islands. Cruise Ships to Return to Orkney

The stats for Scotland published on 21st of July are as follows:

• 1,686 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 31,462 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 6.0% of these were positive
• 7 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 51 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 529 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 3,987,074 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,010,505 have received their second dose

Since the start of the outbreak in Scotland:

• 7,820 ​​​​​​people have died who have tested positive as at 21 July 2021
• 10,268 ​​​​​​deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 18 July
• 32% of COVID-19 registered deaths related to deaths in care homes, 61% were in hospitals and 7% were at home or non-institutional settings (as at 18 July)

The Scottish Environment Protections Agency (SEPA) is monitoring waste water. Traces of the virus can be found in human waste and gives additional data as not everyone who has Covid will have been tested for it. Scotland’s Pioneering Work Tracking #Covid Through Waste Water

All of Scotland is at Level 0 and people are reminded to:

• get the vaccine when you are offered it
• wear a face covering, clean hands and surfaces regularly
• avoid crowded places and stay 1m away from other people
• meet outside if you can, and open windows when indoors
• if you have symptoms get a test and stay at home
• take regular tests if you don’t have symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading the virus
• use the Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland apps

And a growing problem is people who are suffering from long covid: