The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney has now reached 1,597 as 25 new positive tests were recorded in the Health Board area.

From 29th of December 2021 to 4th of January 2022 the cases recorded in Orkney were as follows:

• West Mainland: 17
• Stromness, Sandwick, Stenness: 29
• East Mainland: 75
• Isles: 19

The positivity rate was 23.2%

The stats for Scotland published on 7th of January 2022 are as follows:

• 14,486 new cases of COVID-19 reported*
• 78,300 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results*
  • 21.7% of these were positive
• 15 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 48 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 1,323 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 4,388,543 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 4,037,434 have received their second dose, and 3,063,000 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.

DEATHS

In the week ending 2 January, 44 deaths were registered where COVID-19 was on the death certificate (noting that death registrations for this period are affected by public holidays and are likely to be artificially low)

Between 20 December and 2 January 97 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate.

The number of deaths for week 51, 20 to 26 December, was 53 while 44 deaths were registered in the following week from 27 December to 2 January.

Total deaths from all causes in week 51 were 1,336 (5% above the five-year average) and in week 52 there were 1,076 (1% above average).

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: 

“Death registrations at this time of year are affected by public holidays. As a result the number of registered deaths is likely to be artificially low. We will have a more complete picture in the coming weeks.”

In the most recent week:

• 21 of the 44 deaths registered were male while 23 were female
• 14 deaths were aged under 65
• 6 were aged 65-74
• 24 deaths in people aged 75 or over.

The City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council had the highest numbers of deaths at council level with six in each area. In total, 21 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

Orkney

There have been a total of 9 deaths in Orkney involving Covid, since the start of the pandemic, 6 of those deaths took place in 2021.

Since the start of the outbreak in Scotland:

• 9,905 people have died who have tested positive as at 7 January
• 12,470 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 2 January
• 29% of COVID-19 registered deaths related to deaths in care homes, 64% were in hospitals and 7% were at home or non-institutional settings (as at 2 January)

• 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 
• 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