At least 27 Covid cases in Caithness in latest seven-day period
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There were at least 27 positive tests for Covid-19 in Caithness, and nine in Sutherland, during the latest seven-day period recorded by Public Health Scotland.
The figures were based on people tested from July 19-25.
The national agency's interactive dashboard has a map giving the number of positive cases in specific Scottish neighbourhoods, seven of which are in Caithness.
There were seven positive cases in the Thurso East neighbourhood over the seven-day period and six in Caithness South. Thurso West and Wick South had five each, while there were four cases in Caithness North West.
If a neighbourhood has fewer than three positive cases, the number is presented as 0-2 "to help protect patient confidentiality". The county's two other neighbourhoods – Caithness North East and Wick North – both came into this category based on tests from July 19-25, meaning there could have been zero, one or two positive cases in each.
There were six cases in the Sutherland South neighbourhood, three in Sutherland North and West and 0-2 in Sutherland East.
Public Health Scotland reported 303 positive cases in the Highland local authority area during the seven-day period. The region's seven-day positive rate per 100,000 population was 128.7.
Nicola Sturgeon announced this week that all adults in Scotland have been offered a Covid-19 vaccine and 90 per cent have had a first dose – bringing the total to just over four million. Around 70 per cent of adults have now had both doses.
"We'll be working to increase these figures in the weeks ahead with a particular focus on the younger age groups," the First Minister said. "But compared to any previous vaccination programme undertaken in this country, and compared even to our own expectations at the start of the Covid vaccine programme, these are already quite extraordinary uptake figures.
"If you haven't yet had your vaccine, and it's not too late to do so – please take advantage of the many opportunities across the country and get vaccinated as quickly as possible."
Scotland is in level zero restrictions and Ms Sturgeon will give a further update to the Scottish Parliament in the week before the next review date on August 9.
Statistics for those who have received Covid-19 vaccinations across the various age groups in the Highland Council local authority area (updated on July 28):
- Age 80 and over – first dose 13,311 (97.9 per cent), second dose 12,946 (95.3 per cent)
- Age 75 to 79 – first dose 10,214 (99.3 per cent), second dose 10,081 (98 per cent)
- Age 70 to 74 – first dose 14,483 (98.1 per cent), second dose 14,314 (96.9 per cent)
- Age 65 to 69 – first dose 15,398 (100 per cent), second dose 15,211 (99.1 per cent)
- Age 60 to 64 – first dose 17,053 (99.7 per cent), second dose 16,696 (97.6 per cent)
- Age 55 to 59 – first dose 18,462 (97.7 per cent), second dose 17,917 (94.8 per cent)
- Age 50 to 54 – first dose 16,870 (94 per cent), second dose 16,194 (90.3 per cent)
- Age 40 to 49 – first dose 25,524 (89.4 per cent), second dose 20,367 (71.3 per cent)
- Age 30 to 39 – first dose 21,790 (80.3 per cent), second dose 8367 (30.8 per cent)
- Age 18 to 29 – first dose 20,772 (73.5 per cent), second dose 5524 (19.5 per cent)
Meanwhile, fully vaccinated people from the EU and US will be able to travel to Scotland without quarantining from Monday of next week.
The need for travellers to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Scotland is being waived subject to countries covered remaining on the amber travel list.
The easing also removes the need for a PCR test on day eight after arrival. All travellers will still be required to produce a negative test prior to departure and a negative PCR test on day two after arrival.
The step has been made possible by the success of vaccination schemes in this country and abroad, with inbound travellers from the EU and US required to produce accepted documentation to prove they are protected with recognised vaccines.
Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “This has only been made possible due to the overwhelming success of our vaccination programme here in Scotland when coupled with successful roll-outs of vaccination schemes in the EU and US.
“Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel to Scotland under this significant relaxation of international travel measures, providing a boost for the tourism sector and wider economy while ensuring public health is protected.
“This new arrangement will be carefully monitored by clinicians and kept under close review as we seek to put Scotland firmly on the path to recovery. But people should continue to think very carefully about travelling, especially given the prevalence and unpredictable nature of variants of concern.”
