The cumulative total of Covid cases in Orkney is now at 4,893.
The stats for Scotland published on 8th April 2022 are as follows:
- 6,215 new cases of COVID-19 reported
- 35 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
- 23 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 2,252 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 4,369,103 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 4,097,075 have received their second dose, and have 3,457,690 received a third dose or booster
The Office of National Statistics reports that in the week ending 3 April 2022 1 in 13 people in Scotland had Covid-19, 1 in 13 in England, 1 in 13 in Wales, and 1 in 16 in Northern Ireland.
For that same week the Omicron BA.2 variant remained the dominant variant across all UK countries; the percentage of people with infections compatible with the Omicron BA.2 variant remained high in England and continued to increase in Wales, however the trend was uncertain in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Long Covid
There are no truly accurate figures on how many people are now suffering from long covid. Over 1.7 million people living in private households in the UK currently have self reported long covid symptoms. 132,000 people living in Scotland are self reporting long Covid symptoms. 64% of those people stated that it had affected their day to day lives severely limiting what they could do.
Fatigue is the most common symptom reported.
As a proportion of the UK population, prevalence of self-reported long COVID was greatest in people aged 35 to 69 years, females, people living in more deprived areas, those working in health care, social care, or teaching and education (which saw the biggest month-on-month increase out of all employment sectors), and those with another activity-limiting health condition or disability.
Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK : 6 January 2022
Symptoms of long COVID
There are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection.
Common long COVID symptoms include:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- shortness of breath
- chest pain or tightness
- problems with memory and concentration (“brain fog”)
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- joint pain
- depression and anxiety
- tinnitus, earaches
- feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
- a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
- rashes
This is going to have a serious impact on public health for many months, perhaps years to come. Many of these people were triple vaccinated and had no previous health issues.
It is important to limit the onward transmission of Covid-19 by:
- get the vaccine or the vaccine booster
- if you don’t have symptoms take lateral flow tests twice a week, and if visiting someone vulnerable or going to a crowded place
- if you have symptoms – self isolate and book a PCR test
- you must wear a face covering (unless exempt) in most indoor public spaces and on public transport
- open windows when meeting indoors
- wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
- work from home as well as the office if you can – businesses and workplaces should follow the safer workplace guidance
- use the apps: COVID status (vaccine passport) and Protect Scotland
Categories: Uncategorized
Beginning about 9 years ago, I was very ill. Part of that illness included contracting a particularly unpleasant virus. It took me at least three months to clear the virus and also start to recover from the other aspects of the illness.
I now have what the nurse described as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome. I could say that illness wrecked my life – but I won’t, as I didn’t let it. But – it changed it, dramatically. There is much that I can’t do. Sheer cussedness gets me through a lot. One of the doctors said that the recovery I had was partly due to my attitude.
I am older now, and would probably be heading for retirement anyway, but the idea of my working after that illness, is a joke. ‘Tiredness’ doesn’t cover how a person feels with this condition. Brain fog? The word processor is a gift, as I can write something in pieces when I have some energy, then go over it again and again to correct the gobbledegook that comes through my fingers at first. It takes at least 3 goes to clear up the weird spellings and general – mess. Brain fog – no, that doesn’t cover it either.
Folk don’t understand how I appear to be able to write clearly, but lose words and get confused when trying to talk with people.
I avoid telephone conversations because I get tired and lose track of what’s going on.
Anyway – I’m writing this to say – remember that COVID IS A VIRUS – and as far as I can see, Long Covid is a Post Viral condition, sharing many symptoms with Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome. If a large number of the population are left with Long Covid and are in something like the state I’m in – well – that don’t help the economy either – does it?
I have a good life in many ways – and am fortunate to be in the situation I am in. Others are not so fortunate, in various ways. I feel bad that my way of being limits my husband’s life – he says it’s OK – he’s just pleased that I’m here at all. Bless him.
The key, basic thing to do is – AVOID GETTING COVID – if you possibly can! Follow the guidelines listed above – and/or JUST USE SOME SENSE!