The cumulative total of Covid cases recorded in Orkney is now at 152 as 2 more positive test results were published today.

The stats for Scotland published on 27th of July 2021 are as follows:

• 1,044 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 20,594 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 5.6% of these were positive
• 7 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 63 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 472 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,000,658 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,108,928 have received their second dose

The whole of Scotland is at Level 0 but with the Delta variant very much present in our communities, restrictions still exist. People are asked 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

Click on this link to check on what Level 0 in Scotland means: What Can You Do At Level 0

Travelling to the Scottish islands: pre-departure testing, Scottish Government Information

To reduce the risk of coronavirus being brought into island communities, we are encouraging anyone planning to travel to a Scottish island to test before they do so. 

You can order rapid lateral flow tests for delivery to your home anywhere in the UK and they should arrive within 24-48 hours. 

You should test three days before you plan to travel and then again on the day of departure. If you test positive, you should complete your period of self-isolation before you begin your journey. 

If your test result is negative it is not a guarantee that you do not have coronavirus. You must continue to follow national and local restrictions, including coronavirus guidance. If you develop coronavirus symptoms you must self-isolate and book a PCR test.

This is a voluntary scheme and you will not need evidence of a negative test to travel to a Scottish island. However, we encourage you to participate in order to reduce the risk that you inadvertently carry coronavirus into one of our island communities.