Coronavirus / Number of Covid cases continues to rise
AS Scotland continues to record some of the highest Covid rates in the western world, Shetland is getting its share of the spike.
A further 14 cases have been recorded over the last 24 hours, bringing the seven day rate of cases per 100,000 population to a new high of 354.2.
NHS Shetland’s interim director for public health Dr Susan Laidlaw confirmed that most of the new cases were family contacts of existing cases.
She added that the local Covid testing team was experiencing high volumes of calls and online requests.
Dr Laidlaw said that in order to reduce the spread of Covid the advice remained the same: hand washing and sanitising hands; wearing face coverings; avoiding crowded places if you can; good ventilation.
“If you cough or sneeze, use a tissue and then dispose of it immediately or at the very least, cough into the crook of your arm, away from other people. And then clean your hands,” she said.
Dr Laidlaw urged people to check themselves regularly using a lateral flow test.
“If you need a Covid test because you have Covid symptoms, please request this through this online form.
“Once you have filled in the form, continue to isolate with your household. We will try to contact you that same day but, due to the volume of requests for tests that we are currently receiving, there may be a delay and we ask for your patience,” she said.
Across Scotland, almost 5,700 new cases were recorded. More than 800 people are in hospital and 16 people have sadly died with Covid during the last 24 hours.
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