ONE part of Scotland will see Covid restrictions ease when the First Minister gives her update to Holyrood today on the country’s tiered approach to containing infections.
Nicola Sturgeon told the daily coronavirus briefing that East Lothian will move from level 3 to level 2 after infections reduced.
However, neighbouring Midlothian – which faced the possibility of a move to level 2 – could remain on level 3 after an increase in cases in the area.
Currently, around 2.3 million Scots living in 11 council areas are at level 4 – the highest tier of restrictions for Scotland – with non-essential shops and hospitality venues closed.
The lockdown in these parts of the country will remain until 6pm on December 11.
The First Minister and her Cabinet will decide whether all or some of the areas on level 4 – including Glasgow and Stirling and much of the west of Scotland - will then return to level 3 or go straight to level 2.
Updating the media on the situation ahead of today's statement on the review in Holyrood Sturgeon said yesteray: “Last week we indicated that East Lothian and Midlothian – if there was no deterioration in their positions – would, from tomorrow, move down from level 3 to level 2.
“I can confirm that this will go ahead for East Lothian.
“However, the national incident management team has expressed some concern this morning about a rise in cases and test positivity over the past few days in Midlothian.
“So we will be considering that further this afternoon and we will confirm the position in relation to Midlothian later.
“So it may be that Midlothian will remain at level 3 for a bit longer, until the situation stabilises.
“While, if that is the decision. I know that will be disappointing, it is better than moving the area down a level only to possibly have to move it back up again in a week’s time.
“What we are seeking to do with the level system is get as much stability as possible for people and for businesses.”
The First Minister revealed a total of 949 people had tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland in the previous 24 hours.
She said that 89,310 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 88,361 the day before.
The daily test positivity rate is 8.6%, up from 5.4% on the previous day.
Of the new cases, 370 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 190 in Lanarkshire, 95 in Lothian and 83 in Ayrshire and Arran. There are 1208 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 38 in 24 hours. Of these patients, 84 are in intensive care, down by 11.
No deaths of confirmed Covid-19 patients had been recorded in the previous 24 hours and the number of fatalities under this measures remains at 3503.
The First Minister also insisted the policy of testing hospital patients before being discharged into care homes had not changed. She said anyone in hospital who was known to be infected or are moved without being tested would be in “exceptional circumstances” and based on the “clinical interest of a patient”.
“The policy is that anyone who has had Covid-19 should have two negative tests before being discharged from a hospital to a care home.
Anyone who has been in hospital for reasons other than Covid-19 should still have one negative test recorded before they are discharged to a care home.
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