NICOLA Sturgeon has provided a coronavirus update to the nation at the Scottish Government briefing as speculation mounts about the majority of central Scotland being moved into Level 4 restrictions.
The First Minister confirmed a further 717 people in Scotland have tested positive for Covid-19 – 8.3% of the total number of tests carried out.
Six people who tested positive had died in the last 24 hours.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: A further 717 people test positive as six more die from virus
As always, a wide range of topics were covered.
This is what was said about four of the key issues.
Nicola Sturgeon responds to speculation about Level 4 restrictions
The FM said moving to Level 4 restrictions for a short period could see an easing of measures at Christmas.
She said that the prevalence of the virus, particularly in the west of Scotland, was “stubbornly high”.
Cases in Glasgow were up by 7% last week. West Dunbartonshire was up 6%, while East Dunbartonshire saw a rise of 4%.
In East Renfrewshire cases jumped by 13%.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon responds to speculation about Level 4 restrictions
Sturgeon said: “A stubbornly high prevalence means that we might have less flexibility to offer some limited and careful easing of restrictions over the Christmas period, which we are very keen to do.”
Sturgeon's comments come as a leaked briefing provided to business chiefs found most of central Scotland is likely to be placed in lockdown this week.
Vaccination plans are ‘well advanced’ in Scotland
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is expected to make a statement to Holyrood later this week to set out details of a nationwide vaccination programme.
Up to 4.5 million adults across the country could get the injections at a mix of large vaccination centres and smaller, local ones, she said.
The First Minister and the Health Secretary discussed plans for a mass vaccination campaign at a meeting last week.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon confirms vaccination plans ‘well advanced’
Sturgeon said that vaccine is “in the mix” as part of the UK Government’s supply.
She added Pfizer’s vaccine – which announced trial results last week – is the one she expects to have “most supply of most quickly”, then another being developed by AstraZeneca.
“Our planning in Scotland for roll-out and delivery of the vaccine are well advanced,” the First Minister said.
Care home residents will receive iPads to stay connected with family and friends
The Scottish Government will provide “one or two” tablets to every care home in Scotland for personal calls and medical consultations.
Sturgeon stressed the devices will not be “a substitute” for in-person visits but could allow residents to see and speak to loved ones when visits are restricted.
The First Minister said an unspecified amount of funding has been committed to providing all care homes in Scotland with at least one tablet.
“This will enable more than 1,400 care homes to help their residents to stay connected with family and friends while visiting remains restricted,” she said.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon hits back at journalist for indyref2 comments at Covid briefing
“It will also help clinicians such as GPs or speech and language therapists with remote consultations when that is necessary.
“That will allow them to assess residents health conditions without always needing to visit in person.”
Current rules allow designated visitors to see residents indoors but only in certain care homes and those that fulfil criteria such as weekly testing of staff.
Residents are also allowed up to six outdoor visitors at one time from no more than two households.
New framework to detail non-Covid treatment in hospitals
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the NHS is working to maintain as much non-Covid healthcare “as we safely can”.
She says that work is inevitably affected by the differing levels of coronavirus cases across the country.
A new national framework is being published today setting out treatment levels in all aspects of the health service.
“We have to give our clinical teams the flexibility to manage the demands on them … and we have to give patients clarity on what they can expect,” she said.
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