Coronavirus / Seven more local Covid cases as Scotland reports another sharp rise
A FURTHER seven confirmed Covid cases have been recorded in Shetland.
NHS Shetland said these are mainly household contacts of existing cases.
Meanwhile a total of 6,835 new cases were reported on Friday across Scotland – the third time the country’s daily record has been broken this week.
This led to first minister Nicola Sturgeon holding another coronavirus briefing at lunchtime.
She confirmed a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown is not in the Scottish Government’s plans.
But Sturgeon reiterated the need for people to stick to measures like getting vaccinated, being tested regularly and washing hands.
While more than 6,000 new cases were recorded, there have been four new deaths and 69 new hospital admissions.
Meanwhile NHS Shetland’s interim director of public health Dr Susan Laidlaw has moved to remind the community of the requirements for testing and isolation.
“If you have Covid symptoms or a positive lateral flow test then you must immediately isolate along with your household and book a PCR test,” she said.
“This guidance has not changed and is the same for everyone regardless of vaccination status and age. Isolation means not going out of your house or garden other than to get your PCR test.
“If your PCR test is negative then usually you can stop isolating, as can your household, the same as before. This will be confirmed when you receive your result.
“But if you have symptoms, please take care to avoid passing on any other infection: such as not visiting care homes and hospitals just the same as pre-pandemic. If you work in health or social care you must check with your manager before returning to work.
“If your PCR test is positive, then you have to continue to isolate. And all your household and any other contacts identified by the contact tracers have to continue to isolate and get a PCR test. For contacts it is only if their PCR is negative and they have no symptoms and they have had two covid vaccinations at least 14 days ago (or are aged under 18) then they can stop isolating.
“Health and social care workers must not return to work before their line manager has completed a risk assessment.”
The Test and Protect team will explain what you are required to do if contacted as case or a contact and you will usually get text messages with the same information.
People can get in touch with the team by calling 01595 532030 if they are not sure what to do.
“We urge the community to be vigilant for symptoms and to continue twice weekly lateral flow testing,” a spokesperson said.
Tests can be ordered online and usually arrive by post within two days
Folk can also pick up kits locally from Test and Protect at the Greenhead base in Lerwick, and some community pharmacies and GP practices.
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