The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney is now at 1,118 as 7 new positive cases were recorded in the Health Board area today, 24th of December 2021.

Across Orkney the cases recorded between 15th and 21st of December 2021 are as follows:

• West Mainland: 11
• Stromness, Sandwick, Stenness: 5
• East Mainland: 44
• Isles: 19

The stats for Scotland published on 24th of December 2021 are as follows:

• 7,076 new cases of COVID-19 reported*
• 55,780 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results*
  • 14.6% of these were positive
• 10 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 34 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 536 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,378,172 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 4,006,076 have received their second dose, and 2,841,703 have received a third dose or booster.

* PHS 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
• follow the guidance on NHS Inform on self-isolating and booking a 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