The cumulative total of covid cases recorded in Orkney is now at 158 as 3 more positive tests results were published today.

You can see from this data from SEPA’s monitoring of waste water how Covid has advanced into Orkney from a negative result on 9th June to continued positive results now.

The stats for Scotland published on 7th of August 2021 are as follows:

• 1,386 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 24,025 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 6.3% of these were positive
• 9 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 41 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 359 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,022,914 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,305,325 have received their second dose

Despite the deaths and the number of people requiring hospitalisation – some of whom have been double vaccinated – Scotland will move to ‘Beyond Level 0’ on Monday.

In the week ending 1 August, 46 deaths were registered where COVID-19 was on the death certificate

Since the start of the outbreak:

7,983 people have died who have tested positive as at 6 August

10,370 ​​​​​​deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 1 August

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 1 August)

Link: What normal?

The wearing of Face Masks will continue to be mandatory in Scotland when out shopping and indoors – but not when dancing in crowded night clubs.

People in Scotland 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

People aged 16 -17 are being encouraged to get vaccinated.

For those in Orkney aged 16 and 17 who are on the mainland of Orkney and linked South Isles will be invited, by letter, to attend their Covid-19 vaccination. Letters should start to be delivered from Monday (9th) August with clinics being held on Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Monday 16th August. Those on the (outer) Isles will be contacted by their GP practice.

These letters are being sent to patients who are aged 16 or over as of 1st August 2021. Anyone else will be contacted during the month of August who turns 16 to arrange their vaccination.

If you’re in this age group and want more information on the vaccination, you can view the leaflet here http://www.healthscotland.com/…/56564-COVID-19…

Fiona Grahame