Covid patient ‘stable’ in Gilbert Bain hospital

NHS Shetland says that a patient in the Gilbert Bain hospital with Covid-19 is “stable and improving”.

Director of nursing and acute services Kathleen Carolan said the patient had suffered “respiratory symptoms” due to the virus.

They did not currently require transfer to Aberdeen, Ms Carolan said.

Shetland recorded one new coronavirus case on Tuesday, who had come into contact with a case from last week.

NHS Shetland said yesterday’s positive case had tested positive after a test carried out in the Lerwick hospital.

Siblings’ space art wins trip to Cape Canaveral

Shetland siblings’ impressive space art has won them a trip to Cape Canaveral.

Singe and Lockie Bullough, aged eight and 10, submitted a joint entry into the Shetland Space Centre competition, featuring a female astronaut with a puffin on her helmet and a rocket blasting off.

The brother and sister, from Aith, will be able to jet off with their parents to Cape Canaveral in Florida, home to the Kennedy Space Centre, once lockdown restrictions ease. 

Judges were so impressed with the standard of the 192 receives, they awarded additional prizes for different age groups, who will each receive a voucher for Mareel. 

Age five to seven: first, Aly Work (seven); second, Isla Somerville (six) and third, Thea Tallack (six).

Age eight-11: first, Levi Cogle (10); second, Rashik Saravanan (10) and third, Vaila Gunn (eight).  

And 12+:  first, Prasheeta Saravanan (13); second, Connie Dickie (16) and third ,Emma Henry (14). 

SSC administrator Carol Duncan judged the entries with SSC director of Shetland operations Yvette Hopkins, Shetland Arts’ Graeme Howell and Unst artist Pat Cerasale.

She said: “It was a fantastic competition, with a really high standard of entry.”

Shetland businesses disrupted by current Covid-19 restrictions urged to apply for new hardship fund

Shetland businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions can now apply for funding to help deal with the disruption. 

The Scottish government’s Coronavirus Business Hardship Fund is offering grants of £1,000 or £1,500 to eligible businesses. 

Applicants must be either hospitality businesses or gyms required to close due to the new restrictions; or producers or wholesalers supplying perishables to hospitality businesses required to close.  These businesses must also be able to demonstrate a 25 per cent loss of turnover during the current restrictions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon encouraged all eligible businesses to apply at her lunchtime briefing today. 

“By sticking to the new restrictions, either by closing your business or operating under restrictions, you’re helping us tackle Covid and so it’s really important that we help you to do that,” she added. 

Business must apply  by 3rd November by visiting Business Gateway Shetland. 

Queries can also be made to businessgateway@shetland.gov.uk or by phoning 01595 707451.

New Covid-19 case recorded in Shetland’s figures today, First Minister confirms

Shetland has recorded another Covid-19 case, the First Minister has confirmed.

Nicola Sturgeon made the confirmation during her lunchtime briefing today (Tuesday).

She said all Scottish health boards other than the Western Isles had recorded additional cases, adding that Orkney and Shetland had only recorded one each.

In total, 1,456 new cases were included in today’s figures.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that fifteen additional deaths had been recorded, which she said was a reminder of the “devastating impact this virus us having on families across the county”.

She issued a reminder on the importance of booking a timely test.

While she said it was “natural” for folk to wait a day or two to see whether symptoms develop, Ms Sturgeon stressed Covid-19 was different and needed immediate attention.

“So even if you’re not sure if your symptoms necessarily mean you have the virus, err on the side of caution and come forward  straight away,” she said.

MSP urges ministers to listen to island communities as calls for localised Covid-19 measures intensify

Ministers have been urged to listen to the views of Shetland folk and their elected representatives when implementing Covid-19 restrictions. 

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has made his calls in response to the growing debate for an “islands approach”.

Council leaders in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles have been raising the case for a more localised approach to Covid-19 measures in recognition of their lower case numbers. 

Mr Halcro Johnston praised healthcare staff, businesses and communities for their work keeping cases low. 

 “However, as we plan for the months ahead – given our geography, low rates of transmission and the impact of restrictions on key local businesses and sectors – the Scottish government’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy may not always be the best approach for our communities,” he added. 

He urged ministers to “listen closely to what islanders and their elected representatives are saying”.

MSP demands answers over FAI delay

Beatrice Wishart has written to the Lord Advocate over the “inexcusable” seven year delay to the Sumburgh helicopter crash fatal accident inquiry.

The Isles MSP wrote: “It is welcome news that the inquiry is reaching its end. Answers about the incident itself are valuable, and will serve as important lessons.

“But for the families and friends of those lost, the questions that must now be answered relate to the seven year delay it took to get to this stage. I want to make clear, once again, that this was inexcusable.

Commenting, Ms Wishart said: “There are now serious questions that need to be answered about why this inquiry has taken so long.

“Instead of knowing exactly what happened and why, everyone involved has been weighed down by the bureaucracy of this investigation.”