The Covid weekly update published by Public Health Scotland on 2nd November 2022 is as follows:

• In Scotland, in the week ending 17 October 2022, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 159,200 (95% credible interval: 137,100 to 183,200), equating to 3.02% of the population, or around 1 in 35 people (Source: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK – Office for National Statistics)
• In the week ending 23 October 2022, there were 40 deaths involving COVID-19 (12 fewer than the previous week) (Source: National Records of Scotland)
• In the week ending 30 October 2022, there were on average 819 patients in hospital with COVID-19, a 6.3% decrease from the previous week ending 23 October 2022 (874)
• In the week ending 30 October 2022 there were 7 new admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with a laboratory confirmed test of COVID-19, a decrease of 3 from the previous week (23 October 2022)
• By week ending 30 October 2022 of the 1,214,300 people vaccinated for COVID-19 as part of the Winter 2022 vaccination programme, 93.2% were vaccinated for Flu at the same vaccination appointment

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a wider impact on health and care as a result of the lockdown, economic pressures and changes to health services.

Hospital admissions for the most recent week are provisional and should be treated with caution. At the time of publication there were no data available for three NHS Boards.

In the latest week ending 30 October 2022, for every 1,000 emergency admissions there were 23 COVID-19 admissions (2.3%) in all age groups. In the same week, the 60-64 age group had the highest rate of COVID-19 admissions (2.9%) and the 30-39 age group had the lowest rate (0.8%).

The monitoring Covid-19 by measuring its genetic footprint in waste water continues to show a positive result in the area covered by Kirkwall’s sewage system.

COVID-19 outbreaks and general trends can be monitored by measuring concentrations of the virus in wastewater. Sewage samples are taken from sample sites across Scotland and used to calculate the number of COVID-19 markers, reported as million gene copies per person per day (Mgc/p/d). Samples are representative of wastewater from between 70-80% of the Scottish population. Data are adjusted for population and environmental factors such as flow through the sewage works, which is affected by rainfall.

All covid rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland, but the virus has not gone away. COVID-19, colds and flu can spread more easily in the winter.

We all still need to keep playing our part to protect ourselves and others. Stay well and make it safer for everyone this winter by:

• getting your vaccines if offered to ensure you are fully protected
• following the latest guidance if you are feeling unwell with symptoms or have a fever
• socialising in well-ventilated spaces where possible
• wearing a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
• washing your hands and cleaning surfaces regularly