The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney is now at 1,321 as 203 new positive test results have been recorded in the Health Board area since Christmas Eve.
The figures are as follows
25th December +29 new cases, cumulative total 1,147
26th December +46 new cases, cumulative total 1,193
27th December +4 new cases, cumulative total 1,197
28th December +57 new cases, cumulative total 1,254
29th December +67 new cases, cumulative total 1,321


From 20th to 26th of December 2021 the cases across Orkney were as follows:
- West Mainland: 39
- Stromness, Sandwick, Stenness: 9
- East Mainland: 54
- Isles: 27
The stats for Scotland published on 29th December 2021 are as follows:
- 15,849 new cases of COVID-19 reported*
- 63,238 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results*
- 28.9% of these were positive
- 3 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
- 36 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 679 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 4,380,108 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 4,009,886 have received their second dose, and 2,901,719 have received a third dose or booster.
*There continues to be large volumes of tests being processed by labs; this and the festive period have impacted turnaround times for results. The figures being reported today will include a backlog from before Christmas. We are starting to see improvements in turnaround times, and continue to monitor the situation.

- 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

Categories: Uncategorized
If I got my numbers right, we sadly had a total of 14 deaths since the 24th in Scotland (under the caveat that several registrar offices won’t be open and the figure could be higher). The official reporting from today only refers to the last 24 hour period.
Given the high number of new cases, it warrants to also check for Omicron data (published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-additional-data-and-information/). Whilst the number of Omicron hospitalisations is still small, the steep rate at which it rises (from 2 on December 14th to 72 on December 29th) is concerning.
And then….after the New Year break……?????
What does it take to get people to take this seriously? Does someone they know personally, have to die of it?
For goodness sake – at least controls on travel to and from the islands. And – NO INDOOR GATHERINGS OF PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW EACH OTHER!
For goodness sake.
If the authorities don’t/won’t have the conscience needed take control – control yourselves.
I should clarify…..’Britain’ is a set of islands.
It’s easier for islands, whether large or small, to control travel across borders.
Any islands.
And it’s even easier for people to take control of their own travel – or lack of it.
We are islands too – connected, but can be apart when we need to be.
If this reads as a bit hysterical – it’s possible that I am heading that way!
I agree, it would be fairly easy. The problem is not necessarily that restrictions are too weak… the Scottish government at least tries to do more than England… the issue might be people who do not care about any precautions. Have just seen a post (a response to the Orcadian’s article today) on FB, if you check you will see which post I refer to… and as long as people travel and deliberately do not stick to any precautionary measures, it won’t get better. Personal attacks on the government’s scientific advisors certainly are inappropriate too…
Still pretty shocked after my short excursion to FB… how on earth can anyone be so reckless
Mornin’ S. Davidson
I’m not on Facebook, and only ‘go there’ to look at TON Facebook page, Orkney Archaeology Society, and Orkney Wildlife Facebook page.
We don’t get the Orcadian when it comes out, as Mike only goes to the Stromness Co-op once a week shopping, so we usually get the paper on a Saturday. He’s going today, before the New year’s break, so we’ll see the paper then.
I’ll have a look at the Facebook page that you mention, if it lets me, but as I’m not actually on it sometimes it doesn’t let me even look at it.
They don’t realise that those tactics don’t work with me – the more they say they won’t let me unless I join, the more I despise Facebook!
I won’t give you my Facebook rant, suffice it to say that I think in some ways it ‘works’ as great good can be done by drawing a lot of people together – for example to sign petitions. But, I think it also gives a platform for extreme banality and …nastiness.
Yep, it certainly looks that way!