New Covid cases down 72 per cent on January peak
Week over Christmas and Newyear was busiest
New coronavirus cases in Lanarkshire fell by almost 11 per cent last week.
At the Scottish Government’s daily press briefing in Edinburgh on Monday, March 8, Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed there had been a further 99 positive tests across the region the previous day.
As a result, there were 648 new coronavirus cases in the county last week – 10.7 per cent less than the previous week and the eighth week in the past nine that case numbers have decreased.
Although case numbers are usually lower over the weekend, Sunday was the eighth day in 11 that less than 100 new cases were announced in a single day.
Last week was also the first week since the week beginning September 21 that less than 700 cases were recorded in a week.
Overall, Covid-19 cases in Lanarkshire are now down by 72 per cent since the peak in the week beginning January 4, when 2353 were confirmed.
In total, 37,636 people have tested positive for
Covid-19 in
Lanarkshire and 1276 people have died after testing positive.
Lanarkshire has been the worst affected region in Scotland with 5686.1 cases and 192.8 deaths for every 100,000 residents.
Across the region, 227,428 people – 41.9 per cent of the population – have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccination and 13,144 of them – 2.4 per cent of the population - have received both doses.
A thug who attacked a man dressed in drag for a night out has been jailed for 23 months.
The 25-year-old victim suffered a broken ankle and was on crutches and off work for three months.
Kevin Reynolds, 57, of Netherwoodtower, Motherwell, was found guilty by a jury of assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
He was also convicted of making homophobic comments after his arrest. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the victim was wearing a wig, yellow skirt, high heels and make up when he was attacked at Motherwell train station, pictured, in May 2019.
He said that he was on his way to a drag event in Glasgow when he accidentally bumped into a man he didn’t know.
He apologised, but was punched on the face and fell to the ground, breaking his ankle.
Passers-by rushed to his aid and an ambulance was called.
The victim spent three days in hospital where he had metal plates inserted in his shattered ankle. He has been left with scars.
Nearly two years on, he still gets“shooting pains”in his prosecuting, told the jury:“this attack was completely unprovoked.
“The victim was dressed in full drag outfit and I suggest, from what was recorded on the police station CCTV, the accused would not have liked that.
“We heard a stream of offensive remarks from him there.”
Reynolds admitted making bigoted comments in the police station, but insisted he wasn’t responsible for the assault.
His lawyer, Matthew Mcgovern, said the train station
CCTV could not be relied on. He told the jurors:“if the operator thinks that is good quality footage he should update his CCTV package.”
Passing sentence on Friday, Sheriff Alasdair Macfadyen told Reynolds:“this was an unprovoked assault on an entirely innocent individual.
“Having been arrested, you behaved disgracefully in the police station.
“You have a significant record and your flippant remarks to the social worker demonstrate a lack of remorse.
Police in Lanarkshire attended 200 house parties in the final weeks of 2020.
More than 40 per cent of those took place between December 28 and January 3 as people celebrated bringing in the New Year.
Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell has urged residents to “continue to do the right thing to stop the spread of this virus”.
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws have revealed the extent of coronavirus rule breaking and the police response – known as Operation Talla – across Lanarkshire in the final five weeks of 2020 from November 30 to January 3.
In total, police attended 200 house parties where 120 people were issued with fixed penalty notices (FPNS) and six were arrested.
On 11 occasions, reasonable force was used, while 192 people were asked to leave or informed of the coronavirus restrictions and 75 people were warned or instructed to leave.
Most incidents happened in the week between December 28 and January 3, when 81 house parties were attended and 38 FPNS issued.
In the Operation Talla papers obtained, two incidents in Lanarkshire were highlighted as “notable”
The first, on Tuesday, December 15, saw police attend “fighting” at a property on Main Street in Wishaw.
One man received a fixed penalty notice for breaching coronavirus regulations, one man received a recorded police warning and one man was arrested in connection with an alleged breach of the peace.
In the second, 12 people
– including nine under-16s – were at a house party on Albion Street, Coatbridge, on Hogmanay.
Three people – including the householder – were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus regulations.
Chief Superintendent Waddell was pleased that most people had been following the rules and urged everyone to stick together in a bid to beat coronavirus.
He said: “The vast majority of the public have continued to comply with the regulations.
“We are asking everyone to continue to do the right thing to stop the spread of this virus and protect public health as it’s clear that there is an ongoing risk.
“Parties and indoor gatherings of different households are not permitted and we will continue to use our enforcement powers to disperse large groups of people where necessary.
“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to continue to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.”