Expert group established to tackle Covid-19 as Scots death toll rises by six
A Scottish scientific advisory group is to be established to give the government additional expert advice after the number of people in intensive care in Scotland more than doubled in 48 hours and a further six people died.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced that to supplement the advice being given by the UK’S Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE), a new Covid-19 advisory group will be launched in Scotland.
The First Minister said the move was necessary to understand the spread of the coronavirus across the country, as the numbers testing positive rose to a total of 719 cases, an increase of 135 from 584 on Tuesday.
The new body will be headed by Andrew Morris, Professor of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and director of Healthdataresearchuk,who will be supported by Professor David Crossman, Dean of Medicine at St Andrew’s University and Chief Scientific Adviser for health at the Scottish Government.
Ms Sturgeon said: “At all times the Scottish Government’s actions have been guided by the best and most up-todate expert scientific advice working closely with governments across the UK. But as the number of cases increases it is ever more important that we have the fullest possible understanding of exactly how the virus is spreading in Scotland and we need to be certain the decisions we’re taking are the most effective ones possible, and we need to know if there are more steps that are required to be taken.
“We are seeking to supplement the advice from the UK Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) and establishing a new Scottish Government Covid-19 advisory group, chaired by Professor Andrew Morris.”
SAGE is the body which is chaired by the UK government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and is responsible for ensuring that co-ordinated scientific advice is made available to government during Cobra meetings, which are constituted at times of emergency.
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said a separate Scottish body was required as there could come a time when not all suppression measures would be required across the whole of the UK and bespoke Scottish advice would be needed.
She said: “The advice about suppressive measures has been all over the UK as that’s what was needed to stop transmission of the virus, but in time we will want to apply our own Scottish data to these advisory measures. Perhaps it will not be appropriate to have all of the suppression measures in all of the country as we progress through the transmission of this disease and as we see how the capacity of the NHS is holding up.”
She stressed that the group will supplement the advice coming to all four nations from SAGE. She added: “We are facing an unprecedented situation and it’s crucial we not only follow the latest scientific advice coming from SAGE, but establish what that means here in Scotland on a local level.
“It’s vital that we are well equipped to deal with all possibilities as this outbreak grows globally and this advisory group will play a key role in developing our understanding of the virus and its impact on Scotland. We will continue to work closely with the UK Government as part of a co-ordinated response to this virus.”
Parents thanked for not taking up childcare offer during crisis
Nicola Sturgeon has thanked parents for keeping their children at home as the coronavirus outbreak accelerates, as she urged young people to take care of their mental health while working at home.
The First Minister praised those who were “complying” with government advice, in particular parents who were remaining at home while schools are shut.
She said the Scottish Government had been “deeply worried” about the number of people who would try to get a childcare place, but the small number of those taking them up was a “positive sign” people were “complying with these necessary restrictions”.
“Can I thank people across Scotland who are co-operating in what is a very