SCOTS are set for further tough measures to contain a “rapid rise” in Covid cases when Nicola Sturgeon unveils the latest restrictions to contain the virus when she addresses a special recalled session of Holyrood today.
Schools face extended closure until February and “stay at home” guidance may be tightened to contain a “rapid increase” in Covid cases, a leading scientist has warned ahead of the First Minister’s update.
Professor Linda Bauld, chair of public health at Edinburgh University’s Usher Institute, said the country should brace for “additional measures” unless infection rates fuelled by a new strain of the virus can be contained.
Bauld raised doubt face-to-face teaching in schools can resume as planned on January 18 and warned that “stronger” stay at home guidance may be necessary. The First Minister said last month that current advice could become mandatory.
The new variant does not appear to be more severe but data suggesting greater transmissibility “looks convincing”, Bauld told the Sunday Times.
“I would expect it to become the dominant form of the virus all across the UK in the next few weeks,” she said.
The Scottish Cabinet is to meet this morning after concerns were raised about how rapidly the new strain of Covid-19 is spreading.
Sturgeon yesterday confirmed she would be recalling Parliament this afternoon to discuss additional measures due to a growing spread of the virus causing “very serious concerns”.
Scotland has seen an increase of 2464 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours – a higher figure than Saturday’s confirmed increase of 2137 new cases.
The daily test positivity rate is now at 15.2% – up from 10.8% on Saturday.
No further deaths were recorded yesterday as the register offices are closed over the public holidays. As of December 31, 4578 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died.
In a series of tweets, Sturgeon said yesterday: “The rapid increase in Covid cases, driven by the new variant, is of very serious concern.
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“The steep increases and severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead. So we must take all steps to slow spread while vaccination progresses.
“We, like other countries, are in a race between this faster spreading strain of Covid and the vaccination programme.
“As we work to vaccinate as quickly as possible, we must also do more to slow down the virus – to save lives and help the NHS care for all those who need it.
“Following a meeting of the Scottish Government resilience committee yesterday to assess latest situation, the Cabinet will meet tomorrow am to consider further action to limit spread and I’ve asked for Scottish Parliament to be recalled tomorrow afternoon so that I can set out our decisions in a statement.
“All decisions just now are tough, with tough impacts. Vaccines give us way out, but this new strain makes the period between now and then the most dangerous since start of pandemic.
“So the responsibility of government must be to act quickly and decisively in the national interest.”
This is just the fifth time Parliament has been recalled since it was reconvened in 1999 and the second time within the last four weeks.
Previously, it was recalled after the deaths of Donald Dewar in October 2000 and the Queen Mother in April 2002. It was also reconvened following the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, in 2009 and was recalled last week to debate the Brexit trade deal.
The First Minister added: “For now, please continue to take Covid seriously – it is a real threat to life and health and, if it runs out of control, it damages the economy more too.
“Please stay at home as much as possible and avoid non essential interactions with other households. Thank you.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie today said the safety of pupils, teachers and school staff must be the determining factor in deciding whether to delay the return to school.
“With Covid-19 once again out of control and concerns about the new strain growing it’s clear that a cautious approach needs to be adopted by the Scottish Government,” he said.
“It’s time that the Government listened to teachers who have said repeatedly that they don’t feel safe in their classrooms. Everyone accepts that schools should be kept open in an ideal world, but the current situation is far from ideal.”
Schools were closed during the Spring lockdown and reopened in August after the summer holidays. The Scottish Government has been reluctant to close them again amid concerns over children’s well-being and education.
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