Health board dealing with new Covid cluster

NHS Shetland is dealing with another small cluster of Covid-19 cases, not linked to the recent outbreak that was linked to last weekend’s women’s football tournament with Orkney.

It comes as Scotland is experiencing a new spike in cases over recent days. On Saturday 3,464 new cases, mainly in the central belt, were added to the overall total.

Public health principal Elizabeth Robinson said three linked individuals have tested positive, adding that there was no wider risk to the community as the cluster has been contained.

However, she use the opportunity to encourage people to keep up to date with the changes to isolation requirements for close contacts by regularly checking the NHS Inform website for up-to-date guidance.

As a close contact, you can end self-isolation if all of the following apply:

• you’re fully vaccinated– this means you’ve received two doses from the NHS and have had your second dose more than 14 days ago;
• you receive a negative PCR test result;
• you do not have, or develop, symptoms.

“To stop the spread of Covid the community had to work together, and each person had to take responsibility for themselves and not interact with others if they knew they were a risk,” she said.

“Even if you have had both vaccinations, you can still pass on the virus.

“So, if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team we ask that you listen to what they ask and do exactly as they say. Only by working with us, can we keep on top of any outbreak.”

PCR tests can be booked through the NHS Shetland website.