Six new Covid cases, grass cutting season and ventilation

THE NUMBER of reported Covid-19 cases continue to come down locally with just six new cases added to the tally on Wednesday.

This is mainly due to the fact that fewer people are doing PCR tests due to a change in the national guidelines. From tomorrow (Thursday) the Scottish Government is set to release figures for positive lateral flow tests in addition to PCRs.

Scotland-wide just over 7,600 people returned a positive Covid PCR test over the last 24 hours, while 1,537 are in hospital with recently confirmed Covid.

 SHETLAND Islands Council is reminding families to arrange for the removal of memorial tributes, and any wreaths and flowers which are not in a suitable receptacle, before the end of January to allow the grass cutting season to commence.

A spokesperson said the council’s burial service team was preparing for this year’s grass cutting season from 1 February, and added that the team will remove and dispose of any material which is not in a suitable container.

For more information contact the council’s burial services on 01595 744853 or 744898, or email burials@shetland.gov.uk 

GREEN Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess has welcomed extra funding to improve ventilation in schools and nurseries to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and has urged Shetland Islands Council to apply for a share of the cash. 

Extra funding for ventilation systems had been proposed by the party, and the Scottish Government has now confirmed that funding of up to £5 million will be available to improve school ventilation systems.

“This extra funding is most welcome and something the Greens have consistently raised with ministers, “ the MSP said.

“Teachers and support staff are contacting me regularly with their concerns about the risk of omicron in their classrooms.

“Many need options to improve ventilation beyond opening windows, which is particularly challenging in poorly heated buildings and on cold winter days, so I’d urge Shetland Islands Council to apply for a share of this funding.”