Community urged to be vigilant

The Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) has thanked people across the county for their response to the pandemic and urged that measures to slow the spread of infection continue to be followed.

The group involves representatives from a broad range of organisations, including the emergency and public services, transport providers, the utilities and voluntary sector, and met this week to consider latest developments in the pandemic.

A meeting of the group was held virtually today, Wednesday 15 December chaired by Orkney Area Commander Chief Inspector Ali Garrow.

Given the spread of the new highly transmissible COVID variant, Omicron, Members have stressed the importance of everyone paying heed to the latest restrictions announced by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, in this week’s address.

These include reducing social contacts outwith your household and being vigilant in regards to the mitigating measures that are known to work in curbing the transmission – socially distancing, face coverings, washing hands, hand sanitising, good ventilation and minimising contacts.

CI Garrow said: “The group urges people to respect and follow the restrictions that have been brought in to try and protect everyone. We must also be mindful of the need to protect our critical and essential services, particularly around social and health care, internal and external transport such as lifeline air and ferries and many others. Please adhere to the Public Health messaging around lateral flow and PCR testing and the mitigating factors. We would also encourage people to take up the opportunity of vaccinations and boosters that are continuing to be offered. We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of everyone.”

The group appealed for folk to be vigilant for symptoms and to continue with lateral flow tests and to log the results online whether negative or positive. This allows Public Health to begin contact tracing straight away.

Visit the NHS Orkney website for the latest public health testing information. Anyone who is yet to be vaccinated can call 0300 303 5313. Booster vaccines are being rolled out now and all appointment letters should be issued before Christmas.

Visit Public Health Scotland for further guidance.

Ceri Dare, Environmental Technical Officer (Public Health), OIC Environmental Health, is available for free advice and support around COVID-secure requirements and best practice. She can be contacted on 01856 873535 ext 2817.