Covid hospital cases soar to their highest level for 7 months
TRNSMT: Joyous return to normal ...or new spike waiting to happen?
THE number of people in hospital with Covid is at the highest level in seven months.
Figures yesterday revealed 985 Scots were being treated for the virus – the most patient admissions since February 24, when 1,018 people needed hospitalisation.
The soaring figures come amid growing fears over the return of large-scale events as tens of thousands of music fans flocked to the second day of the TRNSMT festival.
Although the Scottish Government has pledged to introduce vaccine passports for people heading to mass gatherings to try to halt the spread of infection, the rules will not come into force until next month.
Yesterday’s Government statistics also revealed a further 4,298 people had tested positive for the virus, with ten more Covid deaths, while 83 patients were in intensive care.
As of yesterday 4,137,710 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 3,769,320 have received their second dose.
Statistics published last week showed the number of people with the virus had reached a record high, with around one in 45 Scots testing positive in the week to September 3.
The figures, relating to people in private households rather than in places such as care homes and hospitals, are the highest since estimates began for Scotland in
October last year.
NHS boards have also warned of ‘significant pressure’ as a result of the increasing numbers.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has held discussions with the Government about the impact of major events.
Yet, as hospital cases rise, revellers headed to the TRNSMT festival at Glasgow Green. Up to 50,000 people a day are attending the event, running from Friday until today, with performers including Snow Patrol, Amy Macdonald and The Chemical Brothers.
Scottish veteran rockers Primal Scream, Glasgow alternative rock outfit Twin Atlantic and Keane performed last night before headline act Liam Gallagher. Everyone who attends must provide proof of a negative NHS Covid-19 lateral flow test (LFT), which must be taken no more than 48 hours beforehand.
Ticket holders are refused entry without proof of a negative LFT, and those attending on multiple days must take a second test 48 hours after the first one.
On Friday, Scots indie band The Snuts cancelled their gig after one band member and a crew member tested positive for Covid-19.
The festival is operating as a completely cashless site for the first time, with all vendors accepting contactless payments.
TRNSMT boss Geoff Ellis said: ‘It’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of Covid, but we’re doing our best to reduce it as much as possible.’
The outdoor event is one of the last of its kind to take place before vaccine passports are introduced after the Government announced last week that they will be required at a wide range of venues from October 1.