Tag: coronavirus

First Minister: ‘return to school might not be possible at all this side of the summer holidays’

Statement given by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh on Tuesday 5 May:

Good afternoon, thank you for joining us today.

I want to start with the usual statistical update in relation to COVID-19.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, there have been 12,437 positive cases confirmed – which is an increase of 171 since yesterday.

A total of 1,656 patients are currently in hospital with either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 – that is a decrease of 64 since yesterday.

A total of 104 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, and that is an increase of five since yesterday.

I can also confirm that since 5 March, 2,847 patients who had tested positive and been hospitalised for the virus have now been able to leave hospital, and that of course is positive news

Sadly, though, in the last 24 hours, 44 deaths have been registered of patients who had been confirmed through a test as having the virus – which takes the total number of deaths, under that measurement, to 1,620.

Now, as I always say, we must never every think of these numbers as just statistics. They represent individuals whose loss is a source of sorrow to many, and I again want to send my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one to this virus. We are all thinking of you.

I also want to again thank our health and care workers for the extraordinary work that you continue to do for us in the most challenging and difficult of circumstances

Now I have one substantive issue that I want to discuss today. And forgive me if I do so at slightly greater length than normal.

This follows my update yesterday on our plans for “test, trace, and isolate”.

Today, I want to set out for you our latest data on the level of infection and the important R number that you have heard us talk about before, and I also want to describe the work that we are doing now to prepare for careful and gradual changes to the lockdown restrictions – I must stress only when we judge it is safe to make them, which I am afraid is not right now.

Now you’ll find more detail on what I am about to cover today in a new document that we have just published on the gov.scot website – it updates the one we published a couple of weeks ago and, again, I’m asking you please to have a look at that.

I also want to encourage you to use the new online tool that we are launching today, which gives you the chance to offer ideas on how we should move forward.

I’ve said before but it is worth repeating that the decisions on how we come out of lockdown will affect each and every one of us, perhaps for some considerable time to come, and  so I am determined that I and the Scottish Government make those decisions as openly and as collaboratively as we possibly can.

Now, as I said yesterday, by Thursday this week, we have to formally assess whether any lockdown restrictions should be lifted at this stage. The other UK governments will also be making an assessment on or around that date.

As we move forward, we will continue to discuss and, where appropriate, reach decisions on a four nations – UK – basis. It remains my intention to have  UK-wide alignment where the evidence supports it, though obviously my overarching responsibility is to reach evidence based decisions that are right for Scotland.

As I indicated yesterday, I think it is highly unlikely that the Scottish Government will be able to make any significant changes to the current restrictions on Thursday. And I think it’s important that I’m frank with you about that now.

Today’s paper sets out in detail the data that underpins that conclusion.

In short, we are seeing progress – real progress, particularly in the number of people admitted to intensive care – but that progress is still fragile.

That means any increase in the physical interactions we have with other people could quickly see transmission of the virus increase again.

We estimate that there are currently around 26,000 people with COVID-19 in Scotland. I stress these are estimates, but that is still too high a number  to consider that the virus is under control.

I have also spoken before about the vital importance – the critical importance – of keeping the R number below 1.

Now we know the R number is higher in care homes, but our best estimate is that the R number in the community is currently between 0.7 and 1. But we cannot be sure that it’s not closer to 1 than 0.7.

There is also some evidence that the R number in Scotland might be slightly higher at this point than in the rest of the UK – although the modelling that is based on is subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

But in any event, the R number is not yet far enough below 1 to be confident that any changes to current restrictions wouldn’t quickly send it over 1 again – and if that happened, the virus would start to increase exponentially again.

That could overwhelm our health service; force us to re-impose restrictions; and it would lead to many more deaths.

Now as an illustration of this, we include in the paper a chart which is based on recent Danish data, and we are looking at experiences in other countries all the time. What this chart suggests is that that if we were to fully re-open nurseries and primary schools now, the most likely scenario would be a resurgence in the virus that would overwhelm our hospital capacity in a matter of weeks.

Now, the fact is that any easing of restrictions, whenever we introduce them, will have an impact on the R number. But if we get our baseline lower than it is now, we will have more headroom to cope with that – and be able to avoid outcomes like the one I’ve just highlighted.

So the hard fact is that we must see further reductions in new cases, hospital and ICU admissions and deaths to be sure that the overall level of infection and the R number are lower than they are now.

And that means, for the moment, we do need to stick with the current  lockdown restrictions .

However I am acutely aware that the severity of restrictions we are living under now cannot continue indefinitely – we know that lockdown is doing its own damage.

So we also need to be preparing to make changes as soon as it is safe to do so.

The next three week period of lockdown, after this Thursday 7 May, is due to end on the 28 May.

Now, let me stress, that doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t make any changes before then if the evidence suggests it is safe to do so.  If we can, we will.

For example, I’m particularly keen as soon as possible, for the sake of mental health and wellbeing, to enable people to be outdoors more. And obviously we are all keen to get the economy moving again as soon as we can.

So today’s paper sets out some options that we are working on – both in terms of assessing their impact and on the practicalities of implementation – so that we will be ready to make changes when the evidence tell us that it is safe to do so.

Now to be clear with you, because I have to make sure I am setting this out clearly, this is not a list of things we will definitely do by certain dates.

Indeed, we might not be able to take all of these steps even at the end of May.

This is going to be a long process with different phases along the way.

And we will only implement these changes when we are as certain as possible that it is safe to do so – and when we can also assure you of that.

In the meantime, it is vital that we stick rigorously to the current rules.

But as I said a moment ago it is important that we are preparing now.

So I want to briefly set out the options that we are working on. Though, again, I must stress that none of these are changes we are implementing as of right now.

But we are considering, firstly, if and how we could safely change our advice on spending time outdoors – to allow exercise outside to happen more than once a day, so long as we continue to stay apart from people outside our own households.

But second, we are also considering if a slight relaxation in the rules to allow meeting up with a small, defined group of people from other households – in a sort of bubble – might be possible, even if initially that was only possible out of doors and not indoors.

This is, of course, one way in which we could start to interact a bit more with family or friends – which I know is so important to all of us.

However, we also have to consider carefully the impact on the spread of the virus. And we have to think through how such an approach could be implemented in practice – and also how the limitations of it could be enforced if necessary.

It’s also not something that would be possible for those who are currently shielding – so we have to think also about the fairness of it.

The third area we are looking at is when and in what order we can resume some NHS and community care services.

As you know, we stopped some services – for example, screening programmes and non-urgent elective procedures  – to ensure that the NHS could cope with the virus.  But these postponements also have implications for health, so we must consider how services can be restarted as soon as possible – and that is what we are currently doing.

The fourth area relates to how we carefully, gradually and safely allow businesses to re-open.  That is a major area of work, for obvious reasons.

We need to work with business and with trade unions to consider the practical arrangements for different work environments to start up safely  – that’s changes to working practices, physical layouts of workplaces, the appropriate use of PPE and the operation of public transport. On this, we are looking carefully at the work the UK government is doing and consulting our own stakeholders on that.

Initially, we are giving particular consideration to businesses in the construction, retail and manufacturing sectors – and also to some outdoor and rural businesses.

However, where home working is possible, we are very likely to insist on that for the foreseeable future.

And I want to be very clear that as of now current guidance to business remains in place.

Finally, I have said before that one of the hardest decisions I have ever taken was the closure of schools. I know the impact this is having on young people – and I want to thank all of you watching today again for your patience – and it also has an impact on family routine.

The Deputy First Minister is chairing the Education Recovery Group, which is considering options for how pupils might gradually return to school.

Now, again, I need to be clear – a return to school might not be possible at all this side of the summer holidays.

But we are considering whether some groups of students – such as vulnerable children, children who are making the transition from primary to secondary school, or who are studying for national qualifications – could return to school ahead of others.

And any initial return to school – when it does happen – is of course likely to require a mixture of time in school and learning at home.

For example it’s possible that different groups could attend school part-time in blocks of a few days – or a week at a time – to enable physical distancing and deep cleaning schools between sessions. In all of this, we are trying to find the right balance between children’s educational and wider needs, and public health imperatives.

But I want to be crystal clear that while we will of course take the greatest care in all of this, that that is particularly the case with schools. We will not compromise the safety of your children.

Now as you will understand from the detail I have just given, and more so if you read the paper that has published today, none of these decisions are easy. There are no absolute certainties in any of this and complex judgments will have to be made.

As I’ve said before, ‘lifting the lockdown’ will not be like flicking a switch. It will be a gradual process which will happen in phases.

What we are seeking to do is find a path to a new normal – one which is less restrictive than the current lockdown, but which doesn’t risk the virus running rampant again.

Now we have not yet put definite dates on any of what I’ve just set out. But I will update you on an ongoing basis in the days ahead as our evidence, assessments and planning develops.

And as soon as we can start to attach even tentative dates, we will do that.

In parallel, we will continue to build the ‘test, trace, isolate’ capacity that I spoke about yesterday.

But let me end on this point – the most important task for all of us in the here and now is to get the virus under more control than it is right now. And I cannot stress that enough.

We really are at a critical stage, and what I’ve set out today about our assessment of the R number in particular tells us how critical this stage is and also how easy it would be to go in the wrong direction.

So that means asking you again to stick rigorously to the current rules. It means asking you to think hard about your own compliance – and tightening that if anything now, not easing up on it. If you have been going out a bit more than you should, please rectify that.

Please stay at home except for essential purposes – and remember, at this stage, essential purposes means only essential food supplies, medicines and daily exercise.

And you should ask yourself if, for example, going for a drive-through coffee is really an essential journey.

Stay two metres from others when you have to be out.

Don’t meet up with people from other households.

Isolate completely if you or anyone else in your household has symptoms.

Wash your hands regularly, and wear a face covering if you are in an enclosed space with other people – like a shop or public transport.

All of this is tough – it is really tough – and I know and understand that.

But I want to stress again – right now we are going in the right direction. If all we keep doing all of the right things, we will keep going in the right direction, and we will get there. Our light at the end of the tunnel that I keep talking about will get brighter as the days go on. And we will find a way through.

So please keep doing the right things, and thank you for everything that you are doing to comply.

Now I’m going to hand over to the Chief Medical Officer who is going to say a few more words about the evidence that is before us before I open up to questions.

Dogstar Theatre Online

With over 275 performances and seen by over 40,000 people in 12 countries since opening at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Tailor of Inverness has taken its place as one of the great Scottish theatre productions.

Dogstar Theatre Online is now making this extraordinary performance available to the public online, as the first in a series of Dogstar performance recordings to be released through Vimeo on Demand.

“The Tailor of Inverness, with its cry for victims of war and forced migration everywhere, is “a universal work of theatre” (Sunday Herald)

On Monday 11 May Dogstar Theatre Online will also release Brian Ross’s beautiful, moving documentary, produced by Hopscotch Films.

Circling A Fox – The Story of the Tailor of Inverness takes Matthew Zajac’s multi award-winning play and turns it into a genre-bending documentary film that challenges received notions of personal and national identity.

This deeply personal story takes us on a journey from war torn Poland and Ukraine to the Highlands of Scotland and back again. Blending documentary, theatre and poetic drama-reconstruction, Circling a Fox tells the story of Matthew’s quest to seek the truth about his father’s past and his efforts to use theatre to reach out to a family he never knew existed.

“This is a beautifully made film…both a road movie and a moving family drama, and although the story begins the best part of a century ago it is completely relevant to our own times.  In the end, it affirms the astonishing power of love.”  James Robertson

It is vital for small independent companies like Dogstar to find new ways of reaching audiences and new income streams and continue to develop while our theatres are closed.

These outstanding film and theatre experiences will be available to the public £3 to view, £8 to download. 

The Tailor of Inverness is directed by acclaimed Grid Iron director Ben Harrison, with a score by two of Scotland’s finest traditional fiddlers, Jonny Hardie and Gavin Marwick. Set and costume design is by Ali Maclaurin, with Lighting Design by Kai Fischer and Sound Design by Timothy Brinkhurst.

Awards for the production include The Stage Award for Best Solo Performer 2008, Scotsman Fringe First, Holden Street Theatres Award (Adelaide) and CATS Award Best Actor 2009.

Wherever it has been seen, the play has evoked extraordinarily enthusiastic reactions.

Joanna Jankowska, audience member in Edinburgh: “This is the story of every Polish family.”

Misha Glenny, author and journalist: “…how incredibly impressed I was by The Tailor of Inverness…unbelievably moving and unexpected”

“One actor, one fiddler, one brilliant and moving piece of theatre…See it, friends.” April Alliston, New York

“One of the most moving theatre experiences we’ve ever had.”  David Getz, New York

“Matthew Zajac’s performance was incredible.  Wish I could go again tomorrow.”  Kevin Hanrahan, Dublin

“It really was an international wonder” Hanne Larsen, Copenhagen

“What a story, what a play, what a performance…I could barely speak afterwards.”  Gerda Stevenson, Edinburgh

“This is a towering piece of work with a glorious performance by the author” Sunday Independent Ireland

The book of The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac is printed by Sandstone Press £8.99

Circling A Fox is filmed, edited, and directed by Brian Ross, executive producer John Archer.

The Tailor of Inverness & Circling A Fox have received financial support from Creative Scotland.

COMING UP:

The Stornoway Way by Kevin MacNeil

Cast: Naomi Stirrat, Rachel Kennedy, Chloe-Ann Tylor Director: Matthew Zajac

This musical tragi-comedy from the Western Isles packed out theatres during its 2019 debut tour.

Factor 9 by Hamish MacDonald

Cast: Stewart Porter and Matthew Zajac Director: Ben Harrison

Dogstar’s 2014 production about the Contaminated Blood Scandal has influenced audiences, campaigners and politicians across the UK.

Scotland has poorest asthma care

Asthma UK Scotland have called for more radical action to improve the level of asthma care available folllowing the results of their yearly Asthma Survey, which shows the level of basic asthma care in Scotland has fallen by 7% in the last year – making it the worst nation in the UK for basic care provision.

The Asthma UK survey was conducted over the summer of 2019, with more than 12,000 people taking part and 1,403 of these respondents being based in Scotland.

It found that only 36% of Scottish asthma sufferers are receiving the most basic level of asthma care, a startling decrease of 7% in two years. Respondents with a lower household income were also found to suffer from asthma symptoms more frequently.

Across the UK, twice as many people (24.9%) from the top income band have well controlled asthma, compared to 11.9% of those in the lowest income band in the survey. The lowest income band is the only one where over half (57.4%) of people have uncontrolled asthma.

Whilst access to basic asthma care remains similar across income levels, the quality of asthma reviews is poorer for lower income groups. Without high quality asthma reviews assessing symptoms, inhaler and preventer usage, poorer outcomes are experienced.

There are other contributing factors that drive health inequalities for people with asthma. In deprived areas, air quality can be worse and poor housing increases exposure to mould, cold air and dust triggers. Almost half (48.8%) of Scottish respondents listed air pollution as a trigger.

In response to these shocking figures, Asthma UK Scotland are calling for more urgent work to be done to develop and implement the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland in 2020.

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma UK Scotland said: “This survey makes for grim reading and shows the scale of the task needed. It is very disappointing to see Scotland’s level of care decrease so sharply, leaving almost two thirds (64%) of people with Asthma unable to access basic care and asthma reviews.

“It’s also incredibly worrying to read that it is the most deprived communities that are being affected most by this shortfall in care provision. We need to ensure that everyone, regardless of their economic background or where they live, can access the care they need to live a healthy life and keep their lungs well.

“To do this we must also take action to improve the quality of air across Scotland, protecting people’s lung health and helping avoid the development of conditions like asthma and COPD, as well as cracking on with the new Respiratory Care Action Plan.

“The plan is needed now more than ever as we cannot afford to continue on this downward trend. We hope the Scottish Government will soon be forthcoming with proposals to help reverse this trend and that we can refocus our efforts to getting Scotland’s asthma care provision back on track.”

Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead for Asthma UK, said: “As a practising GP I understand the pressure to cover so much in any appointment, especially an annual asthma review.

“When we are providing basic asthma care, healthcare professionals need to have the time to fully assess someone’s asthma and the impact that it has on people’s diverse lives.

“We also need to be able to tailor treatments and their action plan to people’s lifestyles and help them to use their medicines and seek health care at appropriate times. By doing this we can bring down the high rates of asthma attacks particularly in at risk and disadvantaged groups and reduce the burden that poorly controlled asthma has on the NHS.”

Care and Carers: A Guide to Keeping in Touch

For people experiencing care, this pandemic may be worrying and confusing.  Alongside other organisations, The Care Inspectorate has produced information to support contact with loved ones during this time.

We have published a guide to keeping in touch, with practical information on using apps and mobile devices so  loved ones can stay in touch when those they care for can’t receive visitors.

The Scottish Council for Learning Disabilities website has published easy read information about the COVID-19.

Alzheimer Scotland have created a suite of resources for people with dementia, their carers and families to use throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Supporting_people_to_keep_in_touch_when_care_homes_are_not_accepting_visitors

Caring Communities campaign: Helping Out Safely

People helping those in their communities affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) are being encouraged to carry on while following advice to keep themselves and others safe.

The Scottish Government’s Caring Communities campaign will celebrate the help people are already giving each other, and encourage safe and effective help like keeping in touch, shopping, picking up prescriptions and running errands for those who are unable to.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Together we can help each other through the challenges ahead and our Caring Communities campaign will recognise the efforts of people from across Scotland who are supporting and helping others.

“It’s been inspiring to hear how people have responded to this pandemic by offering help to those around them. Whether that’s been formally volunteering or informally helping out neighbours and friends, we all have a part to play in supporting those around us, however we want to make sure that is done in a safe and effective way.

“There are lots of ways to help whilst minimising or avoiding face-to-face contact, including shopping, picking up prescriptions and medicines, general errands or a daily phone call to stay in touch.

“People can also offer help without the need for direct contact such as using social media to arrange activities and putting people in touch with other services or charities if there is need for further support.

“In rural areas, islands and other remote areas, your nearest neighbour may be some distance away and so you could consider whether help is needed around their home or farm, and make sure people have sufficient food, fuel and access to heating.

“The Scottish Government will continue working with communities across the country to help build cohesion and mutual support during this pandemic.”

National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government Jason Leitch said: “Many people need help and support and some will feel particularly isolated and lonely. If you are able to help alleviate that in your street, neighbourhood, or community, then we are asking you to do so.

“At times of crisis, we need each other more, yet we need to stay physically apart. We can still communicate and offer comfort. Phone or skype loved ones. Text neighbours or drop a note through their door to see if they need help. Maybe even write a letter to your grandparents. We are all in this together.”

Coronavirus tracing app to be launched on Isle of Wight today

Isle of Wight residents will be the first to get access to a new contact tracing app as part of government action to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

  • Isle of Wight announced as first phase of new ‘test, track and trace’ programme
  • Rollout of NHS COVID-19 App to begin with the island’s NHS and council staff tomorrow, with all island residents to get access from Thursday
  • Data privacy and security paramount, with National Cyber Security Centre involved in app development
  • The app will be complemented by enhanced contact tracing using existing methods online and over the phone

Isle of Wight residents will be the first to be offered access to a new contact tracing app, as part of government action to test, track and trace to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and move towards safely reducing lockdown measures.

Everyone on the island will receive access to the official NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app from this Thursday, with NHS and council staff able to download from 4pm tomorrow, Tuesday 5 May.

Part of a new test, track and trace programme, the app will work together with enhanced contact tracing services and swab testing for those with potential COVID-19 symptoms to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Developed by NHSX, the technology arm of the health service, and a team of world-leading scientists and doctors, the app is designed to significantly speed up contact tracing, helping reduce the chance of the virus spreading by enabling us to rapidly identify people most at risk of infection so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

When someone reports symptoms through the app, it will detect any other app users that the person has been in significant contact with over the past few days, including unknown contacts such as someone they may have sat next to on public transport.

The app will be able to anonymously alert these contacts and provide advice, including how to get a test to confirm whether or not they do have COVID-19. Users will be able order tests through the app shortly.

For those who may not have access to the app, or the ability to use a smartphone, there will be an option to report symptoms and order tests in other ways. As the integrated service develops, everyone who reports symptoms, including app users, will also be asked to record recent contacts using an online service (or through a telephone interview if they prefer), so that contact tracers can reach all contacts who may be at risk, whether or not those contacts are app users. Contacts will then be alerted either by the app or by email or telephone, advising them to self-isolate or offering public health advice.

As the test, track and trace programme rolls out nationally, expected in mid-May, Public Health England will oversee the deployment of 18,000 additional contact tracers to support the programme.

This first phase is a major step forward in the UK government’s next phase of the coronavirus strategy and will improve understanding of how this new integrated approach to test, track and trace will work for the rest of the population.

NHS and council staff will be emailed a download link on Tuesday afternoon. From Thursday the app will then open for all residents on the Isle of Wight. All households will receive a leaflet with clear instructions on how to download and use the app on Thursday, and a targeted marketing campaign will begin on Friday.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The Isle of Wight is playing a vital role with this pioneering work to help keep Britain safe. This will pave the way for a nationwide roll-out when the time is right.

“Coronavirus is one of the greatest challenges our country has ever faced and this app will play a vital role in getting Britain back on her feet.

“The app will help control the spread of coronavirus by alerting people they may have come into contact with it and recommending appropriate action.

“This ground-breaking technology, combined with our heroic frontline health and social care staff, and both a nationwide contact tracing testing programme will ensure that we remain in the best position to move toward easing the lockdown.”

Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSX, said: “Technology can help us get the country back on its feet.

“By launching the NHS COVID-19 app we can reduce transmission of the virus by alerting people who may have been exposed, so they can take action to protect themselves, the people they care about and the NHS.

“When combined with testing and enhanced web and phone contact tracing, this will help the country return to normality and beat coronavirus.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, said: “By widespread testing those suspected to be infected with coronavirus, tracing their contacts and where appropriate advising them to self-isolate, we can slow the onward spread of the virus.

“This new app-based system, developed by technology experts in partnership with clinicians and scientists, will run alongside traditional contact tracing by PHE. If uptake and use is widespread it will give us the greatest room for manoeuvre to ease other social distancing measures.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director and Director of Health Protection at Public Health England, said: “Alongside the NHS COVID-19 app, PHE’s phone and web-based contact tracing will be a critical part of the government’s strategy to get the country back on its feet.

“Taking these first steps on the Isle of Wight will help us prepare for a scale up of our contact tracing capacity, with an 18,000 strong team ensuring the contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases are followed up and given the information they need.”

The government has collaborated internationally and learned from examples of best practice across the world, which has informed the development of a bespoke approach that is right for the unique needs of the UK. The app uses similar Bluetooth low energy technology to that employed by Australia, Norway, and Singapore among others.

The privacy and security of users’ data is a priority and NHSX has involved experts from the National Cyber Security Centre to advise on best practice through the app’s development. Data will only ever be used for NHS care, management, evaluation and research and the NHS will comply fully with the law around its use, including the Data Protection Act.

The Isle of Wight was chosen to trial the project because it has a single NHS trust that covers all NHS services on the island.

Its geography as an island with a sizeable population makes it an ideal place to introduce the NHS COVID-19 app and wider testing service in its initial roll-out period.

Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart said: “On behalf of the island I am very pleased we can be the first place to use this new digital technology in the country.

“I have always been keen to ensure we keep our special community safe from the virus but at the same time explore ways to enable us to get back up on our feet and move forward from it. This scheme offers the tightly controlled approach we need to help us do just that.

“Widespread tracing and testing holds the key to this ambition and if we are able to help the country move forward then the island will also have done its part in helping government in tackling this virus and re building our lives through safe social distancing when the time is right.

“I am sure islanders will rise to the challenge and help avoid post lockdown spread of the virus and keep people as safe as possible.”

The ambition of test and trace is to enable the UK to start to come out of some elements of lockdown. This will be a gradual process and public health experts are considering how best to do this in a way that keeps citizens safe and protects the NHS.

First Minister: ‘Test, trace, isolate, support’

Statement given by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh on Monday 4 May:

Good afternoon everybody. Thank you again for joining us for this briefing.

I want to start by updating you on some of the key statistics in relation to the virus in Scotland.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, I can confirm that there have been 12,226 positive cases confirmed – which is an increase of 169 from the figures reported yesterday.

A total of 1,720 patients are currently in hospital with either confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 – that is an increase of 54 from yesterday.

A total of 99 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, and that is no change since the figures yesterday.

I am also able to confirm today that since 5 March, a total now of 2,780 patients who had tested positive and been hospitalised for the virus have been able to leave hospital, and I wish all of them well.

Unfortunately though I also have to report that in the past 24 hours, five deaths have been registered of patients who had been confirmed through a test as having the virus, and that takes the total number of deaths in Scotland, under that measurement, to 1,576.

I’d ask you to bear in mind, though, that today’s figure might be artificially low due to the lower levels of death registration that we know takes place at weekends.

And, as always, I want to stress that these numbers are not just statistics, and we should never, ever view them as such.

They represent unique and irreplaceable individuals who are being mourned and missed by their loved ones. So I want to send my deepest condolences again to everyone who is coming to terms with a bereavement as a result of this virus.

I also want to thank – again – our health and care workers. The entire country continues to appreciate the extraordinary work that you are doing.

Now, I have one issue that I want to update you on today. As you know, Thursday this week is the date by which we must review the current lockdown measures.

I’ve said already that it is very unlikely that any change this week will be possible.

Although we are making real and significant progress, and that is definitely the case, the numbers still being infected by the virus, and the all-important R number, remain too high, right now, to make any meaningful change without risking the virus running quickly out of control again.

We also know – as we see on Skye today – that care home transmission continues to be a very significant challenge, and the Health Secretary will say a bit more about that shortly.

So all things considered, and while – let me stress – decisions are yet to be formally taken, it is very likely that on Thursday I will be asking you to stick with lockdown for a bit longer.

Now I know you understand why that is the case – but I also know it is really hard. And I know that, even as you comply with these measures, you do want to see light at the end of the tunnel.

So today and tomorrow – building on the paper we published a week and a half ago – I want to share with you some of the work we are doing to make sure that we will be in a position to make changes to the lockdown restrictions just as soon as the evidence tells us that it is safe to do so.

Tomorrow, I will set out our current assessment of levels of infection and the R number and also, in general terms, the possible changes that the Scottish Government will be considering ahead of the next review date of 28 May as we do try to get a degree of normality back into our lives while being careful still to suppress the virus.

This is work we will of course be seeking to align as far as possible with the other UK nations but, as I’ve said before, our primary task is to make sure that we are making the right decisions, at the right pace, for Scotland.

Now, that is what I will set out tomorrow, but today I want to outline what will be a key part of the approach we take when we have sufficiently suppressed the virus and are able to start moving into the next phase – and that is called ‘test, trace, isolate’ approach, or TTI for short.

In summary, TTI involves anyone who has symptoms indicative of COVID-19 immediately isolating themselves, as everybody is meant to do right now, quickly getting in touch with the NHS to arrange a test, and also sharing details of the people that they’ve been in contact with.

Professionals called contact tracers then get in touch with those contacts to advise them to isolate for 14 days. And if any of them develop symptoms, they get tested and the process starts again with their contacts.

It is all about breaking the chain of transmission of the virus – but without all of us being confined to our homes all of the time, as is the case right now.

Now we have just published a short paper outlining this approach in more detail – and I encourage you, if you are able to, to read it at www.gov.scot – but I wanted to set out a few key points today, I suppose, to get you thinking about it.

And the reason I’m really keen for you to think about it is this – a test, trace, isolate approach will only work if you, the public, are willing to do what we ask of you.

So it’s really important to start building your knowledge of and confidence in such an approach now – as part of that grown up conversation you know that I am keen to have.

The initial key point I want to make is that a successful TTI approach depends on us first suppressing the virus to as low a level as possible.

If infection rates are too high, or if they get too high again in future, the number of people with symptoms and who will need tested could overwhelm the system – even with a vastly expanded testing capacity.

Second, TTI will be a key part of our approach – but it will not on its own keep infection rates down or the R number below one. It’s not a quick fix or a magic solution.

It will have to be combined with continued physical distancing, rigorous hygiene and the appropriate use of face coverings.

And crucially, it will mean you, the public, knowing exactly what it is we are asking you to do, and why we are asking you to do it, and being prepared to do it.

That means if you have symptoms, you need to recognise them and be willing to isolate, to contact the NHS and get tested and also be prepared to share details of anyone you’ve been in contact with.

And for all of us, it will mean being prepared to isolate for 14 days if we are contacted and told that we’ve been in close proximity to someone with the virus. And that, of course, could happen multiple times, with significant disruption to our lives.

We also know that some people will need support to isolate and we are considering how we can provide that, drawing on the arrangements that are currently in place for the shielded group.

It’s also why, as you will see if you read the paper, we are calling this approach in Scotland ‘test, trace, isolate, support’.

We are also making the other preparations now to be in a position to start delivering an enhanced TTI approach by the end of this month.

Firstly, that means continuing to expand our testing capacity. You’ll recall that I told you on Friday that by the middle of this month, we expect to have the capacity to do 12,000 tests per month in Scotland. Our initial estimate – though it is important to stress this is still being refined – is that we will need to get to around 15,500 tests a day just to support TTI. So it is very clear that continued ongoing expansion will be needed to meet all of our testing requirements.

We also estimate we will need up to 2,000 additional contact tracers to do the work that will be required.

We are also building a digital system to make sure as much of this process as possible can be automated.

Now, you might also have heard talk of an app as part of TTI, and I want to address that briefly too, because that’s separate to the kind of digital approach that I’ve just mentioned.

The kind of app being talked about – a proximity app – would operate on Bluetooth technology. If you download it and then you tell it that you have symptoms, it would automatically alert anybody that you’ve been in close contact with, as long, of course, as they have also downloaded the app.

The development of this app is being led by the UK government and we are seeking to maximise Scottish Government involvement in it. We believe it could be a very important part of a TTI system – but as an enhancement. It is important to be clear that in Scotland we are not building our whole system around that.

We know that the success of an app like that will depend on high take up by the public – and that in turn will depend on building confidence in the technology and in the use of data. So we want to do that very carefully indeed.

So I hope today, albeit very briefly, I have given you a sense of what TTI involves. Because it is something you will increasingly be hearing talked about.

And we will give updates on progress and further detail in the days and weeks to come.

But this will be an important tool in our efforts over the next few weeks to get some normality back into our daily lives – so please, if you can, do take the time to read the paper, which as I said earlier you will find on www.gov.scot.

My last point for now is this one. The work I am sharing with you today and I will share with you tomorrow is for the future – and the hard fact is that we will only be in a position to implement it if we continue to suppress the virus now.

So I ask all of you to please stick with the lockdown rules.

Over the weekend, I received quite a lot of emails from people worried that the roads were busy again, and that there were too many people on the streets and in parks.

I have to be honest with you I share that concern, though, don’t get me wrong, I fully understand the frustrations that all of you are feeling.

But in a few weeks I desperately want to be standing here at this podium telling you about the steps we are able to take to get back to a semblance of normality. My big worry is that if we ease up now, I won’t be able to do that.

So please stay at home, except for essential purposes like shopping for food or getting medicines.

Stay two metres apart from others when you are out for essential purposes.

And please don’t meet up with people from other households, and if you are displaying symptoms or anyone in your household is displaying symptoms of COVID-19, then please completely isolate and don’t even go out for essential purposes.

What I am asking you today is please make sure we keep that light at the end of the tunnel on – and let’s all keep making sure that it gets brighter with every single day that passes. Please don’t risk extinguishing that light by easing up to quickly.

So thank you very much for your continued compliance, and tomorrow I will share a bit more with you about the current state of the virus, and what we might be able to consider in the weeks to come.

But for now I’m going to hand over to Professor Jason Leitch, our National Clinical Director, to say a few words, and then the Cabinet Secretary for Health will say a little bit about care homes.

covid-19-test-trace-isolate-support-public-health-approach-maintaining-low-levels-community-transmission-covid-19-scotland

Edinburgh traffic reduced by 77% Since COVID-19 lockdown

Since the lockdown on 23rd March, car leasing firm Leasing Options have been monitoring the traffic in UK and ROI cities.

https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/uk-roi-traffic-before-after-the-covid-19-lockdown/6266

Using TomToms’ live traffic data, they have worked out the average percentage decrease in traffic for each city, at weekday 8am in April (last week) versus the same time in 2019. Here are the results:

City % Decrease in Traffic
London 77.61%
Birmingham 81.03%
Liverpool 74.07%
Dublin 83.16%
Edinburgh 77.27%
Cardiff 83.07%
Manchester 82.60%
Belfast 83.52%
Newcastle 80.36%

Edinburgh remains one of the busiest cities in the UK, with even London seeing a bigger reduction.

Using Google Maps, they have also compared the traffic pre- and post-lockdown to see how we have responded to the new restrictions on travel.

 They recorded the post lock-down traffic at around 8.30am on a weekday in April, (peak travel time for many commuters) and compared this to Google’s historical traffic data from before the lockdown.

Here is how Edinburgh looks, for example:

According to the Department for Transport, 1.96 billion vehicles travel through the City of Edinburgh in a single year.

But as the Scottish capital respects the announcement of our PM and Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, you can see that road traffic has significantly reduced, post-lockdown. Statistics from TomTom  show that traffic has dropped by as much as 64% in April, when compared to the 2019 average.

You can find the data for Greater London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, Belfast, and Newcastle on Leasing Options blog here: https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/uk-roi-traffic-before-after-the-covid-19-lockdown/6266

NSPCC launches campaign to help children in Scotland exposed to harm under lockdown

  • Latest figures from the NSPCC reveal week of April 13-19 saw the highest number of contacts to its helpline this year

With growing concern for the safety of some children during the coronavirus crisis NSPCC Scotland wants more people to know how to get advice and support and where to raise concerns about a child’s wellbeing.

The charity is launching a new TV and advertising campaign today (May 4) across the UK to promote its free and confidential helpline for adults.

The film, which will run on national television and across social media, depicts a helpline expert taking a call from someone concerned for the wellbeing of a neighbour’s child.

The UK Government has provided £1.6m in funding so that the NSPCC can expand its helpline by employing more staff across two sites and raise public awareness of it.

The work comes as the charity publishes the latest data from its helpline which shows that the crisis has exacerbated existing risks for children and created new ones:

  • In the month since lockdown there have been a total of 5,237 contacts to the helpline from across the UK from adults concerned about the wellbeing and safety of a child
  • Of these, 817 contacts were from adults with worries about parents and carers misusing alcohol and other substances, a 22% increase on the four weeks prior to March 23rd
  • Other issues where there has been a double-digit percentage increase in contacts include domestic abuse (10%) and emotional abuse (50%)
  • From April 13th to 19th the NSPCC helpline received 1580 contacts, the highest number in a single week in 2020.

One adult who contacted the helpline in the last month said: “I am concerned about the children who live next door.  Just now I heard the mother screaming and shouting at the child and I heard her say “Shut the **** up!” and there were threats of violence too.

“There is an ongoing situation where the mother invites adults to the family home and there is a lingering of cannabis in the air whilst the children are present.” (Neighbour)

 While schools and social workers remain at the forefront of work to protect vulnerable children, including by supporting them to attend school, expanding the NSPCC helpline and raising its profile will mean more adults will know they can contact our experts with concerns about the safety and wellbeing of any children.

The trained helpline staff can offer advice and make informed decisions about whether further support is potentially needed for a child and their family.

Matt Forde, NSPCC Scotland head of service, said: “One of the big challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic is ensuring that children are safe, now that so much of their everyday lives are hidden from public view.

“It is more important than ever that all of us in society play our part in looking out for those children for whom home is not always the safest place.

“Thanks to this new funding, the NSPCC will be able to reach more adults across Scotland with the message that our helpline is here to provide confidential support and advice if they have any worries about the safety and wellbeing of a child.”

Iona Colvin, Scotland’s Chief Social Work Adviser, said: “Our communities are playing a tremendous role during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting neighbours and paying special attention to individuals and families who are more vulnerable. 

“The changes to the ways that families are living at this time may put some children at greater risk and also reduce opportunities for children to speak out for themselves.

“Whether you are a family member, friend or neighbour, please be alert to any signs that children might be at risk.  If you have any concerns call the police or local social work department or you can talk it through with the NSPCC.”

Alan Small, Chair of Child Protection Committees Scotland, said: “With the closure of schools and nurseries, the onus of care has now shifted on to neighbours, delivery people, volunteers and the wider community. 

“We’re urging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for anything amiss. This is even more important at a time when families may be under significant additional stress. If you’re at all worried about a child’s welfare, it’s much better to say something than do nothing.”

Some common signs that there may be something concerning happening in a child’s life include:

  • aggressive or repeated shouting
  • hearing hitting or things being broken
  • children crying for long periods of time
  • very young children left alone or are outdoors by themselves
  • children looking dirty or not changing their clothes
  • children being withdrawn or anxious.

Last year the NSPCC helpline, which has around 100 staff, received 73,000 contacts from people with concerns about a child’s welfare.

It can be reached 24 hours a day by email – help@nspcc.org.uk – or through its online reporting form. Its team of experts can also be called Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends on 0808 8005000.

Boris Johnson: ‘It’s humanity against the virus’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today co-host a major international conference to drive forward the global race for coronavirus vaccines, treatments and tests – and call on other countries to step up their efforts and work together on the “most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes”.

The Prime Minister’s call to action will come during the virtual Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference, which is co-hosted by the UK and eight other countries and organisations.

He will confirm the UK’s pledge of £388 million in UK aid funding for research into vaccines, tests and treatments – part of a larger £744 million existing UK aid commitment to help end the pandemic and support the global economy.

This includes £250 million for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop vaccines against coronavirus – the biggest such donation to the fund by any country.

Speaking to the conference, the Prime Minister will say: “To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people, and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine.

“The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed. The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.

“It’s humanity against the virus – we are in this together, and together we will prevail.”

International Development Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “It is only by working together that we will prevent future waves of infection and end this pandemic as quickly as possible.

“By strengthening developing countries’ health systems and working to find a vaccine, the UK is playing its part in stopping the global spread of coronavirus to save lives everywhere and protect our NHS.”

Tackling coronavirus globally is crucial to preventing a second wave of the virus re-emerging in the UK, which would put even further pressure on the NHS. It will also ensure that life-saving vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests are available as soon as possible.

In the UK, work is progressing at pace on vaccine development – on Thursday the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca announced a partnership to support large-scale manufacture and potential distribution of a vaccine currently being trialled by the university.

On the 4th June, the UK will host the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together countries and organisations to follow the UK’s lead in investing in the work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Last week International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced a funding pledge equivalent to £330 million a year over the next five years to Gavi. This will help immunise 75 million children in the world’s poorest countries.