Coronavirus / Over 100 Covid tests carried out last week but no need for contact tracing yet
TESTING for Covid-19 is continuing to increase in Shetland, although the last new positive case was confirmed over six weeks ago, according to NHS Shetland.
NHS Shetland consultant in public health Dr Susan Laidlaw said today (Wednesday) that 106 tests had been carried out in Shetland in the week from May 25 to June 1.
As all came back negative, the contact tracing team, which has been operational since last Thursday, has not had to trace any contacts, she said.
Since the beginning of March, Shetland has had 54 confirmed cases of Covid-19 from over 800 tests, with seven people being hospitalised.
Two critically ill patients were airlifted to Aberdeen with the assistance of the Royal Airforce who subsequently recovered.
But seven people from Shetland have died with Covid-19.
Overall, in Scotland, 15,504 people have tested positive for Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and 2,386 have died.
Dr Laidlaw said that while it was heartening that Shetland had not had more cases in the last few weeks there was no space for complacency.
She added: “As the lockdown is being loosened and people begin moving around more freely, we will be exposed again.
“To keep safe our community must continue to stick to the hygiene and infection control guidelines.”
These include: wash hands with soap and water; keep 2m (6 feet) away from other people when out of your own home as much as you can; wear face coverings when out as advised by the Scottish Government, for example on public transport; abide by physical / social distancing rules including who you are allowed to meet with and where.
Anyone developing symptoms of Covid-19, such as a new continuous cough or fever/high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste, must self-isolate at home and follow the guidance on NHS Inform.
Anyone with these symptoms is advised to request a test. Details of how to do that in Shetland are on the NHS Shetland website.
You can also help by making sure your family, friends and neighbours who may not have access to the internet are also up to date with this information.
“The Shetland community has shown that through abiding by the guidelines we can help prevent the spread of the virus, but we need to keep up the good work,” said Laidlaw.
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