Three new COVID-19 cases linked to Orkney boat

Three new cases of COVID-19 have been attributed to an Orkney vessel.

The new cases which were recorded in the past 24 hours bring the total number of test-positive cases recorded in Orkney to date to 56.

According to NHS Orkney, these cases are new and unrelated to any previous local COVID infection.

NHS Orkney Consultant in Public Health Sara Lewis said the positive cases were tested by The Balfour Hospital laboratory and local contact tracing was underway.

She said: “We have successfully managed to contain the small outbreaks we have experienced so far in Orkney through all working together.

“The community must abide by level three guidelines – and, most importantly, not go into anyone else’s home. The only way to ensure the virus does not spread is to follow the FACTS guidelines.”