UK’s worst day yet for virus deaths
STRIKING images show our city paying heed to the vital “stay at home” message – as the coronavirus death toll across the UK continued to rise. An aerial image posted by Police Scotland shows Buchanan Street and George Square – normally a hub of activity during lunchtime – almost deserted as strict new social distancing measures are put in place.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Scots that staying at home is “the only way of saving lives” as the number of people infected with Covid-19 continues to grow.
It comes as the UK suffered its largest day-on-day increase in the number of deaths to coronavirus – which leapt by 87 to 422.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed two more deaths had occurred in the last day – bringing our total to 16.
Here, nearly 10,000 people have been tested to date, resulting in 584 people being diagnosed with the deadly virus – an increase of 85 on the previous day.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde once again remains the health board with the highest number of cases, 183, followed by neighbouring Lanarkshire which has 75.
The First Minister is “confident” the majority will comply with the new rules without the need for police intervention – however, the powers for such action to restrict gatherings, events and the operation of non-essential businesses are on the way. The UK Coronavirus Bill is expected to gain royal assent today, with MSPs unanimously passing a legislative consent motion in support of it yesterday. The Scottish Parliament, which is now sitting on only one day each week, will have 28 days to approve the introduction of the powers.
Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell confirmed the Scottish Government will act to introduce the new powers as soon as emergency legislation at Westminster is passed.
He insisted the legislation, which introduces measures aimed at increasing the number of available health and care staff and protecting the food chain, is “essential”.
Sturgeon added: “I know how hard this is for everybody but people should not be meeting friends, they should not be meeting family members who live outside of their home.
“As I have said previously, for all of us right now, life should not be feeling normal – if it is then you are almost certainly not sticking to the rules we are asking people to abide by.”
Elsewhere, a 250,000-strong army of NHS volunteers is being recruited by the Government to help the country’s most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
They will help with shopping, delivering medicines and supporting those who are shielding themselves against Covid-19.