New cluster of Covid-19 cases ‘likely to grow’

A TOTAL of 23 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland in the past day, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warning an outbreak in Aberdeen will likely grow.

Ms Sturgeon announced the latest figures at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh.

While there have been no Covid19 deaths for 19 days, the total number of cases continues to rise and now stands at 18,717, with 2,491 fatalities.

The first minister told the briefing that 120 contacts have been traced from the Aberdeen cluster, which started at The Hawthorn Bar.

A total of 27 cases were confirmed as a result of the outbreak, although Ms Sturgeon said she expects that will rise.

She said: “Investigations are ongoing and we will provide more details as and when they become available.”

Ms Sturgeon added the outbreak shows the virus is still active in Scotland.

She said self-isolation is “nonnegotiable” if someone is found to be a close contact, adding that even if a test comes back negative the person will still need to self-isolate for two weeks.

Ms Sturgeon told employers that testing staff who are found to be close contacts of a positive case is not an alternative to self-isolation.

She warned the Scottish Government could consider placing a legal obligation on hospitality venues to gather contact information from customers.

When asked about a possible local lockdown, the first minister said she will be in discussions about further steps that could be taken but added the Scottish Government will act in a way that is “not disproportionate or overreacting”.

She said: “All of these things have to be under review on an ongoing basis because we’re dealing with this infectious virus and it’s a tactical battle we’re fighting so we need to always consider the steps we need to take to stay ahead of it or get it back in retreat if we ever think its running out control.”

Nicola Sturgeon