The number of people in Hospital in Scotland has continued to increase. In the latest figures published by Public Health Scotland on 7th of September 2023 there were 363 people in hospital with Covid.

The number of acute Covid admissions to Hospital also increased to 261.

As of 4 September 2023, two cases of BA.2.86 have been identified through PCR testing in Scotland.

Sampling for fragments of coronavirus’ ribonucleic acid (RNA) in local waste water samples in Scotland continue to show positive readings across the majority of sites. This is one of the few tools left to trace the prevalence of Covid in the community.

The last sample published for the Kirkwall waste water area was on 25th of August 2023.

National Records of Scotland weekly deaths which include those involving Covid was also published on 7th of September 2023.

The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 35 of 2023 (28th August to 3rd September was 1,060 (25 or 2% above the 5-year average).  There were 20 deaths mentioning COVID-19.

Those figures in more detail.

Deaths where Covid is mentioned on the death certificate:

• Age 45 – 64: 1 death, male
• Age 65 – 74: 4 deaths, 2 female, 2 male
• Age 75 – 84: 8 deaths: 5 female, 3 male
• Age 85+ : 7 deaths, 2 female, 5 male

One death took place in a Care Home, 2 at Home/Non Institutional Setting, and 17 in Hospital

Of the 20 deaths involving Covid, Covid was the underlying cause in 14 of them.

There were 1,060 deaths due to all causes, an excess of 25 deaths taken over 5 year average. There were excess deaths in Cancer +18; Circulatory +2 and Other Causes + 24

Concern by Public Health Scotland over the new variant and the creeping but persistent rise in Covid cases and hospitalisations has resulted in the bringing forward of the winter vaccination programme for Flu and Covid.

Fiona Grahame