Coronavirus / Outbreak over and no current cases in isles, meeting hears
THE OUTBREAK of coronavirus cases in Shetland is formally over, a health board meeting heard on Tuesday.
Public health principal Elizabeth Robinson also reiterated that there are “no current cases in Shetland and we are doing our best to keep it that way”.
She praised the “huge amount of work” put in by health staff since the cluster of cases kicked off in the north mainland of Shetland in December.
Robinson had particular praise for the laboratory staff in Shetland, who have processed a “phenomenal number of tests”.
The first cases in the outbreak were in the North Mainland in the week before Christmas.
A presentation to NHS Shetland board members highlighted that the second case of the outbreak was present at Busta House Hotel on 19 December.
Of 74 guests and 11 staff at Busta, 22 guests and three staff ended up testing positive.
Robinson’s presentation also noted that a total of 12 cases were recorded in Yell.
The data also showed that the number of self-referred coronavirus tests for young children shot up in September after schools returned before dropping off again.
Between 1 June and 31 December over 13,500 tests were carried out in Shetland, with 2,846 taking place in December alone.
Just over 330 tests were done at the week-long mobile testing unit at the Gilbertson Park games hall.
Only two positive tests have been recorded in Shetland since 26 January, with health officials saying a small number of isolated cases was not unexpected.
Shetland will remain under level three restrictions for the time being, with first minister Nicola Sturgeon saying on Tuesday afternoon that there will be no change nationally until at least the start of March.
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