Community urged to ‘pull together’ as COVID cases rise by 55

As Orkney records 55 new COVID-19 cases, the county’s public health team has urged the community to remain cautious around busy winter events.

According to NHS Orkney, not all of the 55 cases attributed to Orkney today are from the past 24 hours — but there is a significant level of community infection across the whole county.

A backlog in reporting test results is partly behind the high number of cases reported this afternoon, but NHS Orkney’s interim chief executive has said he anticipates that figures will continue to rise in the coming days.

Part of the issue, according to Michael Dickson and NHS Orkney director of public health Louise Wilson, is that many of the folk who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are continuing to go to work and attend events.

“This virus is just so infectious,” Dr Wilson said in a press briefing this Thursday afternoon.

“We really to be careful about what we are doing and how we are interacting.

“We are seeing people who have symptoms who are still going out and about and continuing with their daily lives. We would urge these people to please isolate and get tested.

“The community has been so good about this before, so we are really asking everyone to pull together again at this point.”

The health authority has confirmed that the COVID Assessment Centre in Kirkwall will be open on both Saturday and Sunday, in addition to its usual hours, for testing.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, or have a positive lateral flow test, you must self-isolate and seek a PCR test. You can book this by phoning 01856 888211.