Isles coronavirus cases up 13 per cent
There have been six more confirmed coronavirus cases in Shetland, according to the Scottish government.
As of 2pm on Sunday, government statistics showed cases rise to 51 from 45 at the same time the previous day.
The 13 per cent increase followed almost a week in which isles cases were reported as static at 45.
Across Scotland there were 10 more deaths, while positive cases were up by 367.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 8,187, but the number of people with coronavirus across the country will be much higher.
John Uttley
Whilst interest in the number of positive tests in Shetland is understandable these numbers don’t really tell us much, if anything, about what is happening. So the headline ‘Isles coronavirus cases up 13 per cent’ is incredibly misleading and could inspire unnecessary anxiety among folk who are already anxious enough.
It might be more useful to look at the estimates from the COVID Symptom Tracker app, designed by doctors and scientists at King’s College London, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals. They have collected daily data from more than £2 million users and the project website (https://covid.joinzoe.com/data) has great information and graphics charting the progress and retreat of the virus since late March. It shows the large fall in predicted current infections nationally from about 2 million to under 500,000 and you can see the same trend manifested in Shetland. Indeed, although the number of positive tests in Orkney has lagged far behind Shetland, the app data suggest that prevalence in Orkney and Shetland is pretty similar and that Orkney may now have more current cases of Covid than Shetland.
Geoff Leask
John, of course certain sectors of both Orkney and Shetland will be interested in what is happening. However in your diatribe when you use the words “could, might, should and suggest” – perhaps you’ve maybe strayed away from the point, or could I be wrong? (https:; getreal.co.uk.girn)