Police Scotland have launched a new online form for concerned citizens looking to report irresponsible people who are flouting coronavirus restrictions.
The form enables members of the public to report all Covid-related breaches.
Police Scotland announced on Twitter:
Our online reporting tool for reporting #COVID19 breaches is now live
http://ow.ly/sYdB50CWecI Make sure you understand the rules around gatherings for your area, via @scotgov, before you get in touch with us.
Scotland is currently under level four restrictions which makes it illegal to travel between other local authorities or to invite other people over to your house for non-essential reasons. It’s likely these guidelines will be toughened later today.
Police have appealed to the public not to call 101 or 999 for guidance on Covid restrictions.
The EIS has warned that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a disproportionate impact on young people from less advantaged backgrounds.
Without sufficient intervention and support, the consequences of the pandemic could further entrench the disadvantage experienced by young people currently living in poverty.
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a damaging impact on the education of young people right across Scotland, and it is young people already facing disadvantage who have felt this most acutely.
“Young people from less affluent backgrounds are far less likely to have access to the types of resources that are available to young people in other areas, which has clearly had an impact during the pandemic.
“Young people living in poverty were far more likely to disengage from education during the lockdown period for a wide range of reasons – including lack of access to IT equipment or suitable access to the internet. This has the potential to further entrench, or even widen, the poverty-related attainment gap that persists in many parts of Scotland.”
Mr Flanagan added, “With all schools set to move to a remote learning model, for at least a week, as schools return following the holiday period, it is essential that we ensure that no young person is disadvantaged as a result.
“The move to a temporary online learning model from next week for most pupils was a necessary and correct decision – but this must be properly supported for it to be delivered successfully across Scotland.
“Longer term, to ensure we have an education led recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the Scottish Parliament needs to commit investment into every area of education – pre-5; Primary and Secondary; Colleges; and Higher Education.”
we are hosting on Zoom the 2020 Cockburn Annual Lecture. Professor Cliff Hague, chairperson of the Cockburn Association, will give us a talk entitled “Whose Festival is it Anyway?” followed by an Q&A with the audience.
Focusing on what Edinburgh’s Festivals should look like in the future, Prof Hague will assess why the sheer scale of Edinburgh’s Festivals has become a source of controversy to many residents. He will also offer some suggestions how these events might become more citizen-friendly from 2021 onwards.
His talk will build on the “Our Unique City” manifesto produced by the Cockburn Association that outlines our vision for life in Edinburgh in a post-COVID era.
Tickets to the event are free to Cockburn Association members and by donation to non-members. Please book on our Eventbrite page here. Only ONE ticket per screen, per event is required to be booked.
If you enjoy our Cockburn Conversations and other events please do consider becoming a member of the Cockburn Association – The Edinburgh Civic Trust.
We are an independent conservation charity and we need your assistance to help us continue protecting Edinburgh’s wonderful civic amenities and unique built heritage.
The first people will receive the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine today as the NHS expands COVID-19 vaccination programmes across the UK.
The NHS is the first health service in the world to deploy the life-saving jab, which has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after meeting strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. It is the only approved vaccine which can be stored at fridge temperatures.
The Government has secured access to 100 million doses of the vaccine on behalf of the whole of the UK, crown dependencies and Overseas Territories.
More than half a million doses are available today, with tens of millions more to be delivered in the coming weeks and months once batches have been quality checked by the MHRA. More than 730 vaccination sites have already been established across the UK and hundreds more are opening this week to take the total to over 1,000, helping those who are most at risk from Covid-19 to access vaccines for free, regardless of where they live.
UKHealth Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am delighted that today we are rolling out the Oxford vaccine – a testament to British science. This is a pivotal moment in our fight against this awful virus and I hope it provides renewed hope to everybody that the end of this pandemic is in sight.
“Through its vaccine delivery plan the NHS is doing everything it can to vaccinate those most at risk as quickly as possible and we will rapidly accelerate our vaccination programme.
“While the most vulnerable are immunised, I urge everybody to continue following the restrictions so we can keep cases down and protect our loved ones.”
The first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccinations will be delivered at hospitals for the first few days, as is standard practice, before the bulk of supplies are sent to hundreds of GP-led services and care homes later in the week.
More than a million people in the UK have already been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and its roll out will continue at pace.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at fridge temperatures, between two to eight degrees, making it easier to distribute to care homes and other locations across the UK. The vaccines will be deployed through:
hospital hubs for NHS and care staff and older patients to get vaccinated
local community services with local teams and GPs already signing up to take part in the programme
vaccination centres across the country, ensuring people can access a vaccine regardless of where they live
An army of current and former NHS staff have applied to become vaccinators, with tens of thousands having already completed their online training. These are being processed as quickly as possible and volunteer vaccinators will be deployed as more vaccine supplies become available. GPs and local vaccination services have been asked to ensure every care home resident in their local area is vaccinated by the end of January.
The MHRA, Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed to delay the gap between the first and second dose of vaccines to protect the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time.
In line with the recommendations of the JCVI, the vaccine will be rolled out to the priority groups including care home residents and staff, people over 80 and health and care workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and risk, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
82 year old dialysis patient Brian Pinker received the first vaccination at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital at 7:30 this morning. The foundation hospital is barely a mile from the research labs where the breakthrough vaccine was discovered and developed last year.
There are more than 730 vaccination sites across the UK – and all will be rolling out the new vaccine over the coming days.
Patients in Tayside have been among the first in Scotland to receive the Oxford/Astrazeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
The vaccine was approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 30 December and is being made available to distribution centres through the country.
NHS Tayside is rolling out the vaccines through GP practices in the community, while continuing to vaccinate elderly residents and staff in care homes.
The Astrazeneca vaccine was procured on behalf of the four nations by the UK Government, who have ordered 100 million doses, of which Scotland will get 8.2% based on its population.
As with the Pfizer vaccine, this second vaccine provides an important additional layer of protection to all adults but particularly those most at risk from serious illness and death from COVID-19. With age as the greatest risk factor, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have retained the same phase 1 priority list for both vaccines.
The priority now is to vaccinate as many people with their first dose as quickly as possible, working through that priority list and the advice that the second dose for both vaccines can be given up to 12 weeks after the first means we can maximise this protection quicker than planned. The second dose remains critical for longer term protection and to complete the course.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Seeing the Astrazeneca vaccine being administered to people in the community aged over 80 is a good way to start the New Year and I’m grateful to everyone in NHS Tayside and boards across the country for their work in preparing for the delivery of this newest vaccine.
“Oxford AstraZeneca has the advantage of being much easier to store and transport, which means it is easier to administer in local settings. We are also expecting to receive it in significantly larger quantities than the Pfizer vaccine.
“When it is your turn to be vaccinated you will be contacted by your local health board and I urge you to please take up the offer.
“While vaccination is one of the most important tools we have as we work our way out of this pandemic, we must all continue our work to suppress the virus in Scotland. This means rigorously complying with the restrictions where we live and making sure we continue to wear face coverings, maintain 2m distance from others outside our own household and wash our hands regularly.
“These three strands – following all we need to do to suppress the virus, using our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and rolling out vaccination as fast as supplies allow – are the three critical actions that will see us move, step by step, to a brighter year ahead.”
Associate Director of Public Health Dr Daniel Chandler, Immunisations Co-ordinator, who is overseeing the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Tayside said:“The efforts of our vaccination teams have been amazing and it is testament to a real whole team approach that sees the first over-80s in the general population have their jabs today in Tayside.
“The availability and mobility of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine gives us the opportunity to start to roll out the biggest vaccine programme that the UK has ever seen across our communities. Over-80s are the first priority group and patients will be contacted directly to attend a vaccination session.
“Today’s commencement of the community roll-out marks an important next phase in our response to COVID-19. It will act to suppress the virus in our communities to protect those who are most vulnerable, but the plea from all of us in the NHS is keep sticking with all the guidance.”
James Shaw (82), who was one of the first to be vaccinated alongside his wife Malita, also 82, said: “My wife and I are delighted to be receiving this vaccination. I have asthma and bronchitis and I have been desperate to have it so I am really pleased to be one of the first to be getting it.
“I know it takes a little while for the vaccine to work but after today I know that I will feel a bit less worried about going out. I will still be very careful and avoid busy places but knowing I have been vaccinated will really help me.
“All of my friends have said they are going to have the vaccine when it is their turn and I would encourage everyone who is offered this vaccination to take it.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon is likely to announce tougher coronavirus restrictions this afternoon as the virus continues to run riot across the country.
Ms Sturgeon has called an urgent Cabinet meeting this morning and will address the Holyrood Parliament this afternoon.
2464 new cases were reported in Scotland yesterday and, with the new strain of the virus a particular concern, it’s understood that the cabinet will consider further delays to the return to school as well as other measures to contain the spread.
Current plans for Edinburgh pupils returning to school:
On 26 December, Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions came into force for mainland Scotland. This means that there are changes to the start of next term for children and young people.
All parents will receive an email about this on 22 December. If you meet the criteria, please apply online for a place by 3 January. Your child’s school will confirm places on 5 January.
Schools will also contact families to offer places for vulnerable children.
11 to 15 January 2020
Remote / online learning for all other pupils, at home.
Children of key workers and vulnerable children can continue to attend their own school if they have a place.
If your child attends a Special School, the head teacher will contact you by 6 January with the arrangements for that school from 11 January.
18 January 2020
All pupils return to school, unless further changes are announced by the Scottish Government.
When pupils return to school
When children return to school, it is essential that everyone follows infection control measures, especially:
face coverings (where appropriate)
hand-washing
two-metre distancing where possible.
NB: These plans are subject to change by Scottish Government.
After one of the most challenging years in memory, hard-pressed staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been given a very special gift to round off 2021 … a much-needed spot of R&R!
Banking giant Barclays has donated £250,000 to the health board as part of its efforts to help people and communities most impacted by COVID-19, and the money is to be spent on our network of Staff Rest and Recuperation Hubs.
These much-loved spaces help those who work within NHSGGC to recharge and recover from the stresses of their job. They are places to chat to colleagues, eat, exercise or just out your feet up in peace and quiet.
In addition, each hub provides psychological support to help staff cope with the challenges of their job.
Anne MacPherson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We would like to thank Barclays for their generous donation, and we are delighted that it is being put to such good use.
“COVID-19 has touched every one of us in some way and our staff have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support our patients and their loved ones, our colleagues and, ultimately, our local communities, so to be recognised in this way is very welcome.
“This donation will make a real difference to NHSGGC and our workforce, and it is a lovely way to round off such a challenging year.”
The donation came after NHSGGC was named as a charity partner for the bank’s £100 million Community Aid Package – a funding scheme to help those most in need in the UK, the Americans, Asia and Europe. In the UK the money will go towards meeting the needs of low-income families, those facing financial hardship, isolated elderly people, NHS staff and key workers.
Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across the UK and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many across Glasgow and surrounding area. By reaching those most in need of support, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has played a vital role in this crisis to date, and will continue do so.
“As a proud member of our community, and with a growing presence in Glasgow where we are investing in a new home for Barclays in Scotland, we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that our partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will allow many others to access the help they need as this crisis develops.”
The Barclays £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package is supporting charities that are helping vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19, and the associated social and economic hardship caused by the crisis.
Alongside matching colleague donations and fundraising efforts, Barclays is partnering with a number of charities in the UK, Americas, Asia and Europe, delivering help where it is needed most.
You can find the latest list of charity partners here.
The College closed for the festive break on Friday 18 December and staff will return to working from home on Wednesday 6 January. During the festive break, all campuses will be closed and staff will be taking a well-deserved break.
To best protect the Edinburgh College community, online classes are planned to resume during the week commencing Monday 11 January. It is important that nobody comes onto any of our campuses unless they are told to do so.
Students are encouraged to use Wednesday 6 – Friday 8 January to re-engage with our online learning platforms, access student support services, and prepare for the new term.
We will provide more information for staff and students on plans for the start of term in the new year. Please continue to check our channels for updates.
Staying safe during the festive period
It’s important that we all take extra care to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 over the festive period.
Looking after our wellbeing during the festive period
We know that this time of year can be difficult for some, please remember that you can access support during the festive break.
The SilverCloud mental health and wellbeing platform is available to all staff and students and offers a wide-range of self-help programmes for people who may need support during this time. You can access it here.
Please continue to check our College Communications channels including College emails, the MyEC app, Edinburgh College website and social media for the latest updates from the College – in case the situation changes. We may also contact you via your personal email or text message for any urgent updates.
Police Scotland is appealing for information after two motorbikes were stolen from Houston Industrial Estate in Livingston.
The bikes were stolen during break-ins to business units in Muir Place between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday, 30 December, 2020.
Detective Constable Sam Plastow of Livingston CID said : “Two KTM 450 SX-F motorbikes were stolen worth a five figure sum. One motorbike is orange and grey with the lettering ‘LAURIS’ on the front and side. The second motorbike is orange with ‘METAL MULISHA’ and ‘ROCKSTAR ENERGY’ stickers on the front and side.
“It is believed that a white van may have been used to carry one of the motorbikes away from the business units and the other being pushed away.
“Enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing. However, if anyone was in the area around the time of this incident and saw anything that may assist this investigation we are keen for them to get in contact as soon as possible.
“I would also urge anyone who has seen motorbikes matching the description or has noticed them being advertised for sale, or has any information about the location of the bikes to make us aware.
“Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 quoting incident 2772 of Wednesday, 30 December 2020, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
2,137 new cases of COVID-19 reported yesterday (Satuday)
21,451 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 10.8% of these were positive
During 1 to 4 January, daily updates will be published to provide the latest data on the number of new cases of COVID-19 and the test positivity rate. During this period (1 to 4 January) there will be no updates to the remaining statistics – you can access the latest available data in the sections below and in the trends excel file. Following the next holiday weekend, we will update on Tuesday 5 January – we will provide the latest daily data for that day and the previous 4 days.
Local area data
Public Health Scotland’s interactive dashboard now provides a map showing the number of cases in local areas, as well as trends for local authorities and NHS boards
