Fall in number of Covid-19 cases recorded

FOUR further individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 in Shetland during the latest 24-hour period, according to Scottish Government statistics.

After a spike in cases over Christmas and the New Year, case levels have dropped this week with only 15 cases recorded in the last three days – six on Wednesday, five on Thursday and four on Friday.

Changes in national guidelines earlier this week have led to a reduction in the number of people getting PCR tests, with the government saying it was aiming to start releasing figures including positive lateral flow tests (LFTs).

Shetland’s latest seven-day case rate for the period up to and including 11 January has dropped to 358.5 per 100,000 population – the lowest of any health board area and around a third of the 1,030 national average.

Across Scotland a total of 9,910 cases – including positive LFTs – were recorded on Friday and a further 41 deaths were confirmed.