widget/exchange-29
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31

Coronavirus / Whalsay leisure centre among precautionary closures as Covid testing takes place on island

An aerial view of Whalsay. Photo: Ivan Reid

CORONAVIRUS testing is taking place in Whalsay following a recent confirmed case, while a number of public buildings such as the leisure centre have closed as a precaution.

It is understood that people who were at the Whalsay v Delting football match in Brae on Monday are among those who have been contact traced.

NHS Shetland said the new case confirmed on Thursday was linked to travel and other cases on the UK mainland.

Two new cases were added to Shetland’s tally of positive coronavirus tests today (Friday).

NHS Shetland sent a testing team to Whalsay on Friday to swab people who have been asked to get a test. This is by appointment only.

Anyone who does not have symptoms and who has not been asked to get a PCR test, can access lateral flow tests.

Whalsay Leisure Centre said on Friday that it will be closed as a precautionary measure until further notice.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

The island’s boating club and the golf clubhouse have also closed temporarily as a precaution, although the golf course will be open for play with social distancing. The Oot Ower Lounge pub is closed too.

North Isles councillor Duncan Anderson, who is from Whalsay, said it was important for people to remain calm and let the contact tracing process do its job.

“Hopefully this will be contained and we will be case free again soon enough,” he said.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon, meanwhile, said that across Scotland the situation with coronavirus was “fragile”.

She encouraged people to meet outdoors as much as possible.

Meanwhile the UK medicine regulator has now approved the Pfizer Covid vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds.

At the moment only people aged 16 and over can receive Covid vaccines.

Sturgeon said it was “really good news”.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
widget/pd_widget-6widget/pd_widget-7widget/exchange-53widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.