The number of laboratory cases of Influenza in Scotland has increased by 107% in one week. This has meant a similar rise in those admitted into hospital – 704 patients. In Orkney the number of hospital admissions for flu has dropped from the previous week’s high.

68 people are in Hospital in Scotland with Covid. In Orkney the number of people in hospital with Covid has spiked.

Rate of COVID-19 admissions by NHS Health Board of treatment

The sampling of waste water in Orkney for RNA which gives indications of Covid in the community has varied across the year. The samples will be for the Kirkwall and surrounding area. It shows a sharp peak in August, and another peak in October. It appears to now be falling, however, there is always a gap between reported samples and what is actually happening within the community.

Average trends in COVID-19 wastewater RNA for NHS Orkney

The testing of water samples transferred from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on 1 August 2024. They are now conducted by NHS Lothian.

The graph below illustrates the average trends in COVID-19 wastewater RNA for NHS Orkney since 2021.

The best protection is through vaccination for both flu and Covid, however, only certain groups were eligible for the free Flu and Covid jags. If you have any symptoms it is recommended you stay home, or when out that you wear a face mask to prevent the spread of the viruses.

There are people dying from Covid, and from Flu in Scotland.

Covid and Flu deaths Scotland

Week ending	Covid deaths Scotland	Flu deaths Scotland
22 September	11	2
29 September	18	1
6 October	21	2
13 October	19	2
20 October	24	5
27 October	19	4
3 November	11	7
10 November	18	6
17 November	11	13
24 November	12	21

There were no Covid related deaths in Orkney during the period illustrated above.

For more information click on this link : NHS Inform

Fiona Grahame

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