Yousaf urges people to get vaccinated and not ‘let down their guard’ in face of ‘concerning’ new rise in coronavirus cases
Health secretary Humza Yousaf has said rising Covid-19 infections are “concerning” as he urged people in Scotland to not let their guard down against the virus.
There were 11,957 newly recorded coronavirus cases within the previous 24 hours yesterday, Scottish Government figures showed – the highest since January 11 when 12,604 were reported.
Mr Yousaf said that the recently rising Covid-19 case numbers “are concerning and a reminder that Covid is still with us ” .
The latest data also showed there were 1,509 people in hospital on Tuesday with recently confirmed Covid-19, up 69 on the previous day, with 19 in intensive care, no change.
The SNP MSP tweeted: “With a rise in cases we have also seen a steady rise in Covid hospital occupancy. Over the last week there has been a 23 per cent rise (1509 people with Covid in our hospitals).
“Rising numbers in our hospitals and community (which contributes to Covid-related staff absences) all impact our
NHS recovery.”
And he added: “Important we do not let our guard down and we continue to abide by remaining guidance and regulations that help to keep us safe.
“Vaccinations have been a game-changer, a reminder it is not too late to get your first, second or booster dose if eligible.”
So far 4,439,150 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,164,671 have received their second dose, and 3,456,977 have received a third dose or booster.
Last month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that assuming there were “no significant development s” in the fight against the virus, the legal requirement to wear a mask on public transport and in some indoor settings will end by March 21.
Also yesterday, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed that as of Sunday 13,429 deaths had been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Of those who died in the latest week, seven were aged under 65, some 21 were aged 65-74 and 82 were aged 75 or over. There were 69 deaths in hospitals, 34 in care homes and seven at home or in a noninstitutional setting.