‘Scots specif ic’ solution to halt spread of virus

SCOTLAND may take a different approach from the rest of the uK in tackling coronavirus, it has been announced.

The Scottish Government is setting up its own expert advisory group to help in the battle against Covid-19.

It will consider if different ‘suppression measures’ are required north of the Border.

So far, most actions to curb the spread of the virus – such as the lockdown – have been introduced across the uK.

But Dr Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, said: ‘We’ve had a lot of cases in London and we in Scotland have had fewer cases, so we are behind the situation there.

‘So the advice about suppressive measures have been all over the uK because that’s what we need to stop the transmission of the virus.

‘But in time we will want to apply our own Scottish data to some of 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 also as we see how the capacity of our NHS is holding up.’

The advisory body will be chaired by Professor Andrew Morris, from the university of Edinburgh, who is also chief scientist at the Scottish Government’s health directorate.

Professor David Crossman, dean of medicine at the university of St Andrews, will serve as vice-chairman.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the advisory body is being set up to give ‘the fullest possible understanding of exactly how the virus is spreading in Scotland’, adding: ‘At all times, the Scottish Government’s actions have been guided by the best and most up-to-date expert scientific advice, working closely, of course, with Governments across the uK.

‘We need to be certain that the decisions we are taking are the most effective ones possible and we need to know whether there are more steps that are required to be taken.

‘So for that reason, I can confirm that we are now seeking to supplement the advice from the uK Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies, or Sage as it is known, and we are establishing a new Scottish Government Covid-19 advisory group.’