FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reacted to news that Scotland has broken its all-time record for most Covid cases in a single day for the second time this week.
On Monday June 28 the nation saw more than 3000 Covid cases recorded for the first time ever, with a new high of 3285 cases. The following day more than 3000 cases were recorded for the second time ever, with 3118 positive tests reported.
Now, on June 30, Scotland has recorded 3887 new Covid-19 cases, a new record high and just the third time the country has even seen more than 3000 in a single day.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, the First Minister urged caution, but said the impact of the Covid vaccine was "still clear".
READ MORE: Scotland sets new record high for Covid cases for second time in three days
Sturgeon wrote: "Today’s reported Covid figures show a further increase - however, the vaccination impact is still clear.
"Vaccines are now doing much of the work we needed heavy restrictions to do in the last wave. And thankfully, we continue to see a much lower burden of serious illness."
She went on: "We must care at this stage though, as we still have a significant [percentage] of the population not yet fully vaccinated. So, please: Abide by rules - especially on indoor meetings - and follow all health advice.
"Test regularly with LFDs [Lateral flow devices], particularly if you plan to visit someone."
LFDs are currently available to collect for free from participating pharmacies and give results within around 30 minutes.
2/ We must care at this stage though, as we still have a significant % of the population not yet fully vaccinated. So, please:
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 30, 2021
😷Abide by rules - especially on indoor meetings - & follow all health advice.
👩⚕️Test regularly with LFDs, particularly if you plan to visit someone…
The First Minister further urged people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 "as soon as you can", suggesting using nhsinform.scot to check or arrange appointments.
She added that the Government was moving ahead with the vaccine roll-out as rapidly as supplies, and clinical advice on the timing of the second dose, allowed.
Sturgeon concluded: "We continue to monitor cases - and, crucially, hospital/ICU numbers - carefully.
"However, by following all the advice, we all play a part in keeping country safe. Tomorrow’s figures will be published by @scotgov at 2pm as usual. My next media update is scheduled for Friday."
Public Health Scotland data shows that Dundee City is the nation's Covid "hotspot". The local authority area has a seven-day case rate per 100,000 people of 764.1.
Midlothian and East Lothian, the second and third worst-hit areas respectively, have rates of 658.7 and 653.7.
Scotland's third wave has put all but four areas of the country on seven-day case rates of above 150 per 100,000 of the population. These four are Moray, Orkney, Shetland, and Na h-Eileanan Siar.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel