The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney is now at 1,069 as 11 new positive tests were recorded in the Health Board area.

Across Orkney from 12th to 18th of December 2021 the cases were as follows:

• West Mainland: 7
• Stromness, Sandwick, Stenness: 6
• East Mainland: 56
• Isles: 5

The stats for Scotland published on 21st of December 2021 are as follows:

• 5,242 new cases of COVID-19 reported*
• 39,493 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results*
  • 14.9% of these were positive
• 9 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive 
• 37 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 515 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,373,917 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 3,997,192 have received their second dose, and 2,630,615 have received a third dose or booster.

* Public Health Scotland note there continues to be an impact on turnaround times between specimens being taken and results reported, due to larger volumes of tests being processed by labs.

• get the vaccine or the vaccine booster 
• limit the amount of social contact you have with other households – gather in groups of no more than 3 households
• avoid crowded places – shop at quieter times and follow safety measures in shops and other places
• if you don’t have symptoms take regular lateral flow tests – especially before mixing with other people – get LFD tests
• if you have symptoms – self isolate and book a PCR test
• wear a face covering where required
• work from home if you can
• take an LFD test each time before you visit someone in a hospital or care home
• wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
• open windows when meeting indoors
• use the apps: COVID status, Protect Scotland and Check-in Scotland