Ten straight days and no new deaths in Scotland

‘Understand the urgency’

SCOTLAND yesterday reached a major milestone in the fight against Covid-19 as no new deaths were recorded for the tenth day in a row.

The Scottish Government said only four new cases had been recorded in 24 hours, while data released yesterday showed that only 0.2 per cent of the 9,106 tests carried out the preceding day came back positive.

The number of deaths in Scotland remains at 2,491, with the last death by that measure – which requires a confirmed Covid-19 case – having been reported on July 16.

Yesterday’s new cases figure is the lowest reported since July 14.

Reacting to the statistics, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Very relieved to report yet another day in Scotland with no deaths of people who had tested positive for Covid.

‘The four new positive cases – 0.2 per cent of people newly tested – will be looked at closely and followed up through Test and Protect.’

As of Saturday night, the Scottish Government reports, 267 people were being treated in hospital for the virus, a drop of three from the previous day. Of these cases, two are in intensive care.

The figures were released only days after businesses in central Scotland had to undergo health inspections after they were linked to an outbreak at an NHS call centre.

Several of the firms – three bars, a clothes shop and café – were forced to shut down for deep cleaning.

A total of 20 people had tested positive in connection with the outbreak at the Sitel call centre at the Eurocentral business park, near Motherwell.

Ministers opted against a local lockdown or enhanced measures in the area, confident contact tracing would suppress any spreading of the virus.

Despite cases of Covid-19 appearing to slow down, the Scottish Government came under fire yesterday over levels of testing available to care home staff.

Although care homes have been at the centre of the pandemic in Scotland – with more than half of all deaths occurring in them – data shows only 65 per cent of workers were tested for coronavirus last week. In May, the Scottish Government said that it would test every worker once a week.

Now, the Scottish Labour Party is calling on Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to focus on expanding testing, as well as launching its own consultation on a plan for a National Care Service.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: ‘The Health Secretary fails to understand the urgency of getting this testing carried out and fails to demonstrate the Scottish Government’s appreciation of these workers, who put themselves in harm’s way to care for others.

‘In addition, Jeane Freeman must provide the financial support to ensure that any care staff who take the test face no financial penalties. The time has come for a National Care Service; the people of Scotland deserve no less.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We have significantly expanded the care home testing programme, including the launch of the Social Care Portal and mobile testing units. Latest published figures show that more than 34,000 tests were carried out in the week commencing July 10.’

A total of 299,426 people have tested positive in the UK – up 747 cases from yesterday. Northern Ireland is no longer publishing its Covid-19 statistics over the weekend.