The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney has now reached 1,530 as 48 new positive tests were recorded in the Health Board area.

From 27th of December 2021 to 2nd of January 2022 the positive cases of Covid recorded across Orkney were as follows:

• West Mainland: 25
• Stromness, Sandwick, Stenness: 41
• East Mainland: 85
• Isles: 40

The stats for Scotland published on 5th January 2022 are as follows:

• 16,103 new cases of COVID-19 reported*
• 69,327 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results*
  • 26.9% of these were positive
• 5 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 42 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 1,223 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,385,227 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 4,026,878 have received their second dose, and 3,016,198 have received a third dose or booster**

* There continues to be large volumes of tests being processed by labs; this and the holiday weekend have impacted turnaround times resulting in delays between specimens being taken and results being received and reported. Public Health Scotland are continuing to monitor the situation.

** Public Health Scotland have been notified that the vaccination data is incomplete due to a technical processing issue since 4 Jan 2022 15:00. The issue is currently being investigated.

• 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