Stay vigilant for more of level 3
Perth and Kinross residents are being urged to “remain vigilant” in order to continue suppressing coronavirus infection rates.
It comes as the region enters level three of COVID-19 restrictions for at least another week from today (Friday, December 11).
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the news to parliament at her weekly update earlier this week.
Perth and Kinross will remain in tier three along with the Fife and Dundee council areas, with the First Minister saying that “a change of level would not be merited at this point”.
Despite having some concerns about the infection rate in Perth and Kinross in recent weeks, she also noted that numbers had in fact “stabilised”.
Between November 30 and December 6 the region had 143 new cases, at a rate of 94.1 per 100,000 people, and a 4.9 per cent positivity rate.
Those figures are an improvement on the previous seven day period which had 147 new cases, at a rate of 96.7 per 100,000, and a 4.9 per cent positivity rate.
Nicola Sturgeon also welcomed the first round of coronavirus vaccinations that have been administered in Scotland this week, saying it was a “milestone they had all longed for.”
But the she did warn residents to continue adopting a “cautious approach” and that Scotland can expect “the winter period to be particularly tough”.
Following the briefing, Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: “The news that Perth and Kinross will remain in level three reflects the continued threat that COVID presents to our communities.
“Whilst it is pleasing to see that the number of cases have slightly fallen over the past week, we must remain vigilant in order to continue suppressing the virus.
“With the start of the vaccination programme, we can look forward to better days ahead in the future.
“In the meantime, I would urge everyone to continue following the Scottish Government’s guidelines, and I thank everyone across the community for their ongoing efforts and sacrifices.”