Nicola Sturgeon LIVE: First Minister to updates public on latest coronavirus figures | lowest test positivity rate since mid-June in Scotland | 'Anti-vaxxers are guilty of anti-social behaviour', says FM
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Follow The Scotsman’s live blog here for updates on the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 briefing, held by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and national clinical director Jason Leitch on Tuesday, July 27.
Scottish Government Covid-19 briefing LIVE
Key Events
- Scotland records lowest case positivity rate since mid June
- ‘Anti-vaxxers spreading misinformation are anti-social’, according to FM
- Prof Leitch: cases in Scotland “dramatically falling”
- Yousaf insists self-isolation exemptions are not compulsory
- ‘Reckless’ to let Covid-19 spread through young people, says FM adviser
Briefing ends as Nicola Sturgeon due to set out Scotland’s next steps out of lockdown at Scottish Parliament next week
The First Minister said the Scottish Government hoped to remove more restrictions when Scotland moves “beyond level zero” on Monday August 9.
Leading up to this, she said, the government would weigh up the different factors that will inform its decision on how many restrictions can be lifted.
The First Minister said: “In short, we have seen some very positive developments recently, and that does give us grounds for optimism that we will be able to continue progress, out of restrictions.
“That said, we do still need to be cautious.”
Covid Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon says anti-vaxxers spreading misinformation are guilty of anti-social behaviour
Nicola Sturgeon says that anti-vaxxers who deliberately spread misinformation regarding coronavirus are ‘anti-social’.
Covid Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon says anti-vaxxers spreading misinformation are guilty of anti-social behaviour
Nicola Sturgeon says that anti-vaxxers who deliberately spread misinformation regarding coronavirus are ‘anti-social’.
Drop-in vaccinations offered to anyone who has not had vaccine
Jason Leitch said that drop-in vaccination clinics are open to anyone across Scotland who has not had the vaccine.
He added that Scotland is doing ‘well’ with the vaccination programme so far.
Sturgeon ‘surprised’ at accusations Government missed vaccine targets
The First Minister said she is ‘surprised’ at media outlets saying she missed a Government target of vaccinating all over 40s.
Nicola Sturgeon’s comments come as she previously said all people over 40s will be vaccinated if they come forward when offered by July 26.
Speaking at her briefing today, the First Minister said that how could she guarantee that all over 40s would be vaccinated under a non-compulsory vaccination programme.
She added that the Scottish Government is working on encouraging people to come forward for the vaccine as just over 90% of over 40s have been fully vaccinated.
Over 4 million people have had their first dose of the vaccine in Scotland so far.
The FM added that any suggestion that the vaccination programme is not a ‘resounding success’ has ‘non basis whatsoever.’
‘No evidence’ vaccine impacts fertility, says FM
The FM said there is ‘absolutely no evidence’ that the vaccine would affect fertility in both men and women amid concerns raised on social media on the issue.
Sturgeon added that the virus would probably offer far more of a risk to fertility than any vaccine.
‘Should not lose sight of how high uptake rates are’, says FM
Questioned over vaccination uptake in young people, the First Minister said we should not underestimate how high current uptake rates are in Scotland.
The FM asked young people to ‘go and educate yourself’ to get vaccinated to help themselves but also people around them.
Jason Leitch also added that he expects vaccinations rates among young people to rise as it is still early days since young people were asked to come forward.
Latest covid figures for Scotland
Lowest positivity rate since mid-June says Sturgeon as Scotland records another 1,044 new cases in last 24 hours
Speaking at a coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that in the last 24 hours Scotland recorded the lowest positivity rate since June 19.
FM says ‘individual responsibilty’ to get vaccinated
‘I am confident we will make progress’ says FM as she hints to further easing announced next week
Nicola Sturgeon says lifting of remaining restrictions will be done with ‘appropriate caution’ and plans for moving forward for Scotland will be outlined to Parliament next week.
People told to shield eight times more likely to get Covid, a new study suggests
People advised to shield during the first wave of the pandemic were eight times more likely to get Covid-19 and five times as likely to die following infection than the general population, a study led by the University of Glasgow has indicated.
People told to shield eight times more likely to get Covid-19, study suggests
People advised to shield during the first wave of the pandemic were eight times more likely to get Covid-19 and five times as likely to die following infection than the general population, a study has indicated.
‘We are in a much better place since the start of this month’, says First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon’s comment comes as she says that high case numbers have not resulted in the same number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
First Minister reveals test positivity is lowest it’s been since mid- June
1,044 covid cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours.
The test positivity rate is 5.6% - the lowest it has been since June 19.
Covid briefing in Scotland due in five minutes
Follow The Scotsman’s live blog and tune into the Scottish Government’s live feed on Twitter.
‘Indicator of progress’ as Scotland not included in UK top ten covid hotspots, says health secretary
Scotland’s health secretary Humza Yousaf has said Scotland’s progress out of the top ten covid hotspots is ‘another indicator of progress in our continued battle against the virus.’
At the start of July, five out of ten covid hotspots in the UK were in Scotland, however, now no Scottish local authorities are in the top 150.
However, Mr Yousaf added: “No room for complacency.
“Keep up hygiene measures, regular testing and get vaccinated.”
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People told to shield eight times more likely to get Covid, a new study suggests
People advised to shield during the first wave of the pandemic were eight times more likely to get Covid-19 and five times as likely to die following infection than the general population, a study led by the University of Glasgow has indicated.
Researchers also said people considered at moderate risk from the virus due to health conditions like diabetes were four times more likely to have confirmed infections than the low-risk group, and five times more likely to die following confirmed infection.
The study published in the journal Scientific Reports also showed that people aged 70 and over accounted for almost half (49.55%) of deaths in a Scottish health board.
The study looked at data from more than 1.3 million patients registered with GP practices in NHSGGC, of which 27,747 had been advised to shield, with a further 353,085 classed as medium risk due to health conditions.
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