Coronavirus / Isles record 17 further Covid-19 cases
SHETLAND has recorded a further 17 cases of Covid-19 in the most recent 24-hour period, according to official statistics.
It means over 40 cases have been recorded in the past three days following an outbreak in Scalloway.
NHS Shetland said on Tuesday afternoon that the cases were a mix of contacts of existing cases, new cases at the Scalloway school, “some other education settings” (one case has been confirmed in a pupil at Sound Primary School), and some linked to travel.
The health board said most of the cases were “still asymptomatic or have very minor symptoms”.
NHS Shetland interim director of public health Dr Susan Laidlaw said the health board wanted to reassure the public that they were “working on containing the spread of Covid and in particular are continuing to work closely with the education department, following all public health and Scottish government guidance”.
“‘Warn and inform’ letters have been issued to several education settings, including where there are just one or two cases,” Dr Laidlaw said. “These are a precautionary measure and a reminder to all to continue to follow the guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid. Keep good ventilation if meeting up indoors, continue to wear face masks and ensure proper hand hygiene is maintained.”
The islands have seen far fewer cases proportionately than the rest of Scotland amid record case numbers across the country since the start of the new school term.
The latest seven-day average for the period up to 28 August is 174.9 per 100,000 people, still significantly lower than the nationwide rate of 720, though Shetland’s figure will increase when the most recent three days are included.
Anyone who has yet to be vaccinated can arrange an appointment by calling (01595) 743319 or emailing shet.covidvaccinationscheduling@nhs.scot
A drop-in clinic will operate from 2pm-5pm on Wednesday 1 September at the Gilbertson Park Games Hall for anyone aged 16 or over who has not yet had a first dose, or who had their first dose eight weeks ago or more. If you have had a positive PCR test for Covid then you need to wait for four weeks before you can have the vaccination.
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