The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Restrictions return not ruled out but no plans for circuit breaker: FM
Nicola Sturgeon has warned she cannot rule out the need for restrictions to return to Scotland as Covid cases surge across the country – almost doubling in the last week.
But the first minister said it was incorrect to say the government was actively considering a circuit breaker lockdown.
More than 6,000 new coronavirus cases were reported yesterday, the highest daily increase ever in Scotland.
Despite the protection offered by the vaccine, Ms Sturgeon said the levels of cases, which have doubled in the last seven days, were a cause for concern.
“We are reporting another very sharp rise,” the first minister said as she announced 6,835 new infections.
She confirmed this represented 14.2% of tests which reported a result, but added a record number of tests were also carried out to give context to the figure.
Medics are treating 479 people in hospital, an increase of 53 on the previous days figures. A total of 47 people are in intensive care.
A further four deaths were confirmed, taking the death toll in Scotland since last March to 8,103
Speaking about the risks of rising cases, Ms Sturgeon said: “In recent days we have seen an increase in the number of people in hospital.
“Last Friday, 312 people were in hospital with Covid – today’s figure is 479.
“And of course people who do not go to hospital can still suffer serious illness, including through long Covid.”
The first minister addressed the potential need for new restrictions, recognising vaccines had enabled a less restrictive approach.
“We know that the measures which have been in place for the last 17 months have in themselves caused serious harm.
“They have disrupted schools, hurt the economy and affected wellbeing,” she said.
Ms Sturgeon added: That is why if we are at all responsible, we can’t and shouldn’t rule anything out in the midst of a pandemic, none of us want to go backwards to even limited restrictions. But we cannot ignore the current surge in cases either.
“My job in times like these is not to be popular, it is to take any decisions, no matter how difficult, that are necessary to keep us safe.
“In particular, we are currently watching closely to see whether, and to what extent, we might start to see significant increase in serious illness.”
On the Covid vaccine rollout, the first minister said 70% of 30 to 39-yearolds have also had both doses.
For those aged 18 to 29 years old, 74% have had first doses and 46% have had second doses.