PUBLIC health expert Devi Sridhar has forecast the return of tougher restirctions in Scotland as she agrees COP26 will "make Covid worse".
The Edinburgh University professor, a member of the Scottish Government's Covid advisory group, says the climate summit in Glasgow is likely to trigger a spike in cases that will put yet more pressure on the NHS.
The armed forces has been called in to help in some health board areas as the service continues to struggle to meet demand.
Sridhar was responding to a question posted to her on Twitter which asked if the event, which includes delegates from around the world, will "make Covid worse for Scotland" and "increase the risk of further restrictions".
She responded: "I could be wrong (and hope I am) but yes. A mass event (with major movement of people in & out) with an infectious virus will cause an increase in cases. While in the case of Covid will put stress on limited health services. Which triggers need for further restrictions."
Beginning on October 31, COP26 runs until November 12 and is described as the world's "last best chance" to head off the worst of climate change. Thousands of people are expected to attend and a raft of road closures and diversions will be put in place to deal with the event traffic and for security reasons.
I could be wrong (and hope I am) but yes. A mass event (with major movement of people in & out) with an infectious virus will cause an increase in cases. While in the case of COVID will put stress on limited health services. Which triggers need for further restrictions. https://t.co/1iLIfqctZ5
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) October 21, 2021
It comes four months after the G7 event in Cornwall, which experienced a 5000% rise in cases. However, the Government and local public health bosses said there was no evidence to link the G7 with the outbreak in St Ives and Falmouth.
Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: "Whilst not entirely surprising, it is nevertheless troubling to hear Prof Sridhar warn of a potential spike in cases as a result of COP26 taking place in Glasgow.
"Covid cases are already far too high and lives are being lost. If we are to prevent cases spiking, and the inevitable additional pressure that would put on our NHS, we need the SNP government to speed up the sluggish roll-out of the booster jab and ensure the NHS has surge capacity.
"It is not good enough to wait for cases to spike before taking action. The health secretary must act, and act now."
And Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "We saw from the G7 in Cornwall that these major gatherings can bring with them a spike in Covid cases.
"The Scottish Government should set out what proactive measures it is putting in place to enable NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and others to deal with any rise in cases associated with COP26.
"With experts like Prof Sridhar already warning of the risk, there is no excuse for the health secretary to be taken by surprise. He should move to support our NHS now."
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