Three new cases of COVID-19 confirmed

Three new positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the Scottish Government figures for Orkney today following tests through The Balfour hospital laboratory.

All three are known contacts of previous cases recorded in recent weeks and are not linked to the fishing vessel cases.

Director of public health for NHS Orkney Dr Louise Wilson said it remained critical that people continued to follow the FACTS guidance and if in any doubt about whether they had COVID-19 symptoms, to self-isolate and get tested.

“Whilst it is great that the vaccine roll-out has started, everyone is asked to remember that none of the current guidance to prevent the transmission of COVID will change until much more is known about how well the vaccination programme is working at whole population level.

“If you think you have symptoms, it is still really important that you socially isolate yourself as quickly as possible and arrange to get tested as a large proportion of the community currently has no immunity to COVID-19.”

Anyone experiencing COVID symptoms should contact the COVID Assessment Centre for a test. The number to call is 888211.