Test centre to open out of hours as COVID cases rise

October 23, 2021 at 2:23 pm

As Orkney witnesses a 17-case rise in daily COVID-19 infection figures, NHS Orkney has confirmed that the COVID Assessment Centre will be open this Sunday for testing.

Orkney’s director of public health has, however, clarified that some of the cases reported in figures today come from a backlog of data which was not reported earlier in the week.

According to data published by Public Health Scotland, a total of 17 new positive cases have been attributed to Orkney during the past 24 hours.

NHS Orkney announced earlier this Saturday afternoon that it’s testing centre in Kirkwall would open outside its usual hours, from 9am until 3pm this Sunday.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have a positive lateral flow test, you must book a PCR test by phoning 01856 888211.

Asked about the cause of the increase, Dr Louise Wilson, NHS Orkney’s director of public health, said:

“We have seventeen cases reported today – some of these are tests that were done earlier in the week and have been slightly slower than normal coming through so have bunched together, but the key thing is we are seeing increase in cases at the moment. We already have a significant number in this morning which will flow through to tomorrow’s reporting.”