NHS urges vigilance as two new COVID-19 cases confirmed

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Orkney in the last 24 hours.

Confirmed by NHS Orkney’s laboratory, the new cases are both close contacts to a previously reported case. A single new case was recorded on Friday.

NHS Orkney’s chief executive Michael Dickson said that while Orkney had not seen a significant increase in positive tests in recent weeks, the situation was finely balanced and reminded everyone that they could play a part in eliminating the virus from the community.

In particular avoiding crowded places and minimising contact with other households was really important, along with complying with good respiratory and hand hygiene and being vigilant to COVID-19 symptoms.

He said: “Even if you think it is only a cold you should stay at home and request a test. Public Health colleagues are hearing that people can have mild cold symptoms which then go on to develop into the more recognised COVID-19 symptoms a few days later (a fever, a new persistent cough or a new change in loss of taste or smell).

“Everyone who can work from home should be doing so, but for those that cannot, it is really important not to become complacent in following the rules, including wearing masks correctly and maintaining social distancing.

“Vaccine roll-out is underway to the most vulnerable people in our community, but we still have quite some way to go before we are able to let our guard down. By following all the rules this stands us in the best place to get back to lower levels of restrictions sooner, and to protect our loved ones in the process.”

The number of test-positive cases in Orkney since the start of the pandemic in March now stands at 48.

NHS Orkney has a direct phone line for people with symptoms to book a COVID-19 test. This is 888 211 between 9.30am and 5.30pm Monday-Friday, and until 12.30pm on a Saturday.

Do not contact or visit your GP practice or The Balfour hospital if you think you have COVID-19.