coronavirus – Page 123 – The NEN

Coronavirus update: First Minister’s speech 29 April

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

Good afternoon everybody. Thank you once again to all of you for joining us for this daily update.

I want to start as usual with an update on some of the key statistics in relation to COVID-19 in Scotland.

Now as usual on Wednesdays, today’s update will have two parts – an update on the daily figures that you are used to hearing me present, and also a summary of the key points from today’s weekly publication from National Records of Scotland.

That means more complexity and a bit more length than normal – so please bear with me.

I also know and want to be upfront about this today that both speaking about and hearing about people dying is extremely upsetting. But I hope you understand that it is important that I do report these numbers and do so in some detail.

Let me turn firstly to the usual daily figures.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, I can report that there have been 11,034 positive cases confirmed – which is an increase of 313 since yesterday.

A total of 1,727 patients are currently in hospital with either confirmed or suspected COVID-19 – that is a decrease of 27 from yesterday.

A total of 114 people as of last night were in intensive care with either confirmed or suspected cases of the virus. And that is a decrease of 12 on yesterday’s figures.

Let me say again that these are encouraging figures.

I am also able to confirm today that since 5 March, a total of 2,521 patients who had tested positive for the virus have now been able to leave hospital.

However I also have to report that in the past 24 hours, 83 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 1,415. Although I’ll come on to the figures from the National Records of Scotland publication shortly.

Unfortunately there is a further group of deaths that I am able to report on today. Over the course of the pandemic, I can sadly confirm that 6 members of NHS staff and 5 members of the social care workforce have died from the virus. And my thoughts, and the thoughts of all of us in the Scottish Government are with their family and friends.

Now I should stress and it is an important point to stress that it will not necessarily be the case that all of these members of staff contracted COVID through their work – and in some cases, people may not have been in their workplace for some time.

However it is really important for us to understand how many frontline workers lose their lives from this virus, it’s also really important that we ensure appropriate investigation into the circumstances, and of course learn any lessons that we can from those circumstances.

Now the numbers that I have read out – for health and care workers, and indeed for all deaths – are not just statistics. And this is a point that is important for me to make every single day. Behind every one of these statistics is an individual an individual who is loved and cherished an individual who is now deeply missed by those that they’ve left behind. So once again, I want to send my deepest condolences and thoughts to everyone who has lost a loved one to this virus.

And finally I want to thank – as I always do – our health and care workers for the extraordinary work that you continue to do. The entire country owes you such an enormous debt of gratitude.

Now I have spoken before about the different ways in which we record figures, but I think it’s helpful if I briefly go through the key points again.

For our daily update figure – which is the one that you have just heard me give – we report on deaths that have been registered by National Records of Scotland, but where the individual has been tested and confirmed as having COVID-19.

These figures are the most accurate ones that we are able to provide on a daily basis. However, as you’ve heard me say before, they don’t capture all deaths associated with the virus.

So National Records of Scotland – or NRS – now produces a weekly report every Wednesday. It’s been published just over half an hour ago.

And this captures all deaths registered within a 7 day period, ending on the preceding Sunday. And it includes – not just those with a confirmed laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 – but also deaths which are presumed to be linked to the virus.

So it includes cases where COVID is entered on the death certificate as a suspected cause of death, or as a contributory factor in the death, but where no formal test had been carried out.

The number of deaths covered under this reporting system is therefore larger than under the daily system, when you compare the two figures according to the same date. But it is more comprehensive, and it provides a fuller picture of how the virus is affecting our communities.

As I said NRS published the fourth of its weekly reports today. It covers the period up to Sunday 26th April – which is three days ago. At that point, if I can remind you, according to our daily figures, 1,262 deaths had been registered of people who had tested positive for the virus.

However, today’s report shows that by Sunday, the total number of registered deaths linked to the virus – confirmed and presumed – was 2,272.

656 of those were registered in the 7 days up to Sunday the 26th. And that is an increase of 5 from the week before, when 652 COVID-19 deaths had been registered.

Now, as I said a moment ago, these figures are difficult to hear – and they are of course very difficult and upsetting for me as well to report on.

But this more comprehensive information is vital, because it does help to give us as full a picture as possible of the toll the virus is having, and to see how and when it is progressing and where it is progressing. And that is important as we take decisions for the future.

Now because of the importance of this information, NRS once again provided breakdowns of these figures by age, health board area and setting. And I want to discuss briefly some of what these latest figures show.

First, the data says that in total, 52% of people whose deaths have been linked to COVID died in a hospital; 39% of people died in a care home; and 9% of people died at home or in another setting.

However in the past week, on its own more than half of all COVID-related deaths – 338 of the total – were in care homes. That partly reflects the fact that COVID-19 deaths in hospital do now seem to be declining.

The proportion of deaths in Scotland in care homes – while obviously deeply distressing – is however broadly in line with the proportions being reported now for many other countries. And that demonstrates again how crucial it is to make care homes as safe as they can possibly be during a pandemic of this nature.

Care homes have had strict guidance to follow since 13 March. And it is incumbent all care home providers, whether they are in the public or private sector to follow and to implement that guidance.

Our NHS Directors of Public Health are also playing a lead role in assessing how each care home in their area is managing infection control, staffing, training, physical distancing and testing.

Patients being discharged from hospital should provide 2 negative tests before being admitted into a care home, and all new admissions to care homes should be tested and isolated for 14 days.

All care home residents with symptoms of COVID-19 are tested.

Social care staff with symptoms or their families should be tested and we have worked with the care sector and continue to work with the care sector to ensure appropriate provision of PPE.

We know that care homes – due to the age and often the frailty of their residents, and because many people are living together in the same setting – are very, very vulnerable to this virus, not just here in Scotland but across the UK and other countries too. The steps we have taken so far are designed to ensure that they are as safe as they can possibly be. And we will continue to take whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to make sure that is the case.

The second issue I want to briefly cover is that we have again today in this publication provided information on what is sometimes called “excess deaths” – that is the difference between the total number of deaths last week, and the average number of deaths, in previous years, for that particular week.

Today’s figures show that there were 743 excess deaths last week. That is actually lower than in the previous two weeks – by more than 100 – but it is still a much higher number than we would want to see. The overwhelming majority of those excess deaths – 85% of them – can be and are attributed to COVID-19. But there are 112 additional deaths which cannot be attributed to the virus.

That figure – for unexplained excess deaths – is actually also lower than in previous weeks, but it is of course still a source of concern.

The figures published today show that a significant proportion of these additional deaths are due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, or circulatory conditions such as heart disease or stroke.

The other point I would make about the excess deaths overall is that they are high and far too high but on the most recent comparable data we have in Scotland, the proportion of excess deaths is slightly lower at this stage than in England and Wales.

Now I know there have been questions raised about whether all deaths thought to be from Covid are recorded in that way. And I want to be very clear that in reporting and analysing all excess deaths, I hope the NRS report provides some reassurance on that point. And we of course continue our work to understand what lies behind these increases and in particular to understand the excess deaths that are not attribute to the virus.

Thirdly, in terms of the points I want to cover, these figures again demonstrate that this virus disproportionately affects the elderly and that is not just elderly in care homes, the vast majority – nearly all – of deaths from this virus are in the over 65 age group.

However they also show that anyone can get this virus, and that people of all ages have died or become seriously ill from it. So for all of us, strict hand hygiene and sticking to social distancing rules is still the best way of protecting ourselves, as well as protecting our loved ones and our communities.

And that brings me to my final point – and it is one which you hear me make every day but I think it is more important than ever to make it during these Wednesday briefings than perhaps at any other time.

I know how upsetting these numbers are to listen to, because I know how upsetting they are to report on. And there’s a danger of feeling – when you hear numbers like this – dispirited, certainly very sad but also powerless, as a result of the fact that the death toll is still so significant, given all of our efforts in recent weeks.

But every one of us does have power to protect ourselves, our loved ones and communities. And not withstanding these figures, deeply distressing figures of numbers of people dying. Some of the earlier statistics that I have sighted today show that we are making progress.

So by exercising the power that each of us as citizens have, we have already all of us helped protect the NHS, we’ve helped to push transmission rates in the community to a much lower level now than was the case several weeks ago.

So please, I ask you, continue to stick to the rules.

Stay at home – except for essential purposes such as buying food or medicine, and exercising.

If you do leave home for essential purposes, don’t mix with people from other households – stay more than 2 metres away from other people. If you have to be in an enclosed space with other people, like a food shop or public transport, please consider covering your nose and mouth with a face covering like a scarf.

If you have symptoms of the virus, you and your household should isolate completely.

And everybody must still wash their hands regularly and thoroughly and follow all of the other hygiene guidance.

These measures are tough for all of us, and as I say every day because it’s true they are getting tougher. But they are having a positive impact. Notwithstanding some of the upsetting news I reported today. But the converse of that point is equally important and equally as stark, easing up on them now would also have an impact but it would be a negative impact – and that impact would be felt very rapidly.

So we do need to stick with it. These restrictions are the ways in which all of us, together, will slow the spread of the virus even further, continue to protect our NHS, and save lives. So thank you once again to all of you who are doing that.

And please, please keep doing that because you are making a difference.

FORTH 1 listeners lift spirits with ‘Stay Home Orchestra’

Forth 1 listeners have been staying home and staying upbeat while creating their own mass version of club classic ‘Carnaval De Paris’ by Dario G.

The Boogie In The Morning breakfast team, consisting of Boogie, Arlene and Marty, have been encouraging listeners of all musical talents from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk to get involved in the ultimate ‘Stay at Home Orchestra’ which went live yesterday (Tuesday 28^th April).

Otherwise known as the ‘Working From Home Amateur Massive Musical Orchestra (WHAMMO), listeners from across the east of Scotland were keeping themselves occupied during this period of isolation by filming themselves playing along to the song which was originally recorded for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Speaking about WHAMMO, Boogie, who hosts Forth 1’s Boogie In The Morning, said: “We all know how important it is to stay at home at the moment to protect our NHS and save lives. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun.

“We’re all in this together and we were not let down by the fantastic response we had from our listeners.

“I was really impressed with the musical talents and creativity of the entries – they definitely showed me and the rest of the team up…apart from Arlene, who was annoyingly, really quite good!”

You can check out the full ‘Stay At Home Orchestra’ video on the Radio Forth WHAMMO webpage now.

Watch as Boogie and the team give it a go themselves:

Boogie – https://www.facebook.com/227407058938/videos/205426760719169/

Arlene – https://www.facebook.com/227407058938/videos/169254434107738/

Marty – https://www.facebook.com/227407058938/videos/525774795043064/

Join Boogie In The Morning every weekday from 6am on Forth 1.

Keep up with all the latest news, music, competitions and gossip on Forth 1 on FM, online, on DAB radio, via our app, on your Smart Speaker, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat:

Coronavirus: Care home deaths now outstrip those in hospital

As at 26th April, 2,272 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 20th April to 26th April, 656 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, an increase of four from the previous week, 13th April to 19th April.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 20th April to 26th April was 1,830 – 68% more than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years, 1,087.

Of these 743 excess deaths, 85% were deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death.

Over a third of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 occurred in care homes, 39%. 52% of registered deaths were in hospitals and 9% were at home or non-institutional settings.

Almost three quarters of registered deaths involving COVID-19 to date were people aged 75 or over. Of all deaths to date involving COVID-19, 53% were male and 47% were female.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “Every death from this virus is a tragedy. These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland.

“Our aim is to ensure that our statistical publication provides information that is as useful as possible and adds value to the understanding of how the virus is spreading throughout the country. We will continue to review and develop these statistics as new information is made available.”

Conservative health spokesman Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “My condolences are with family and friends of everyone who has tragically died from Covid-19.

“It is extremely concerning that in Edinburgh and the Lothians we are now in a position where there are more deaths in care homes than there are in hospitals.

“Care home residents are highly at risk to Covid-19 and every measure must be taken to protect care home residents, including full PPE being available, regular testing for Covid-19 and full training for staff on infection prevention.”

Stay at Homers turn to new interests

Bored Britons are switching off their TVs and finding new ways to entertain themselves during lockdown with a new study revealing the nation’s most popular isolation hobbies.

Penny pinching experts from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk used Google trends data to research which affordable new hobbies the UK public are adopting from their homes.

They found increasing numbers of us are turning away from our screens and finding new ways to stay entertained as the lockdown continues.

As well as classic hobbies such as baking, gardening and DIY, many of us are using the lockdown to learn a new language or get fit with home workouts or yoga sessions.

A spokesperson from NetVoucherCodes said: “Many people have a lot more time on their hands right now than they are used to and as the lockdown continues increasing numbers are switching off their televisions and finding more interesting ways to keep themselves entertained.

“The perfect hobby is one that lets you tap into some of your energy and creativity but doesn’t tap into your wallet in a significant way. Families up and down the UK need a break, and hobbies provide them the chance to have fun and relax.

“Immersing yourself in a new hobby can be really good for mental health and helps reduce stress, which is really important at the moment.

“Using Google Trends’ search data in the UK over March and April, many hobbies had increased search interest. Using this we calculated the percentage increase in interest in those topics, and identified the date of peak popularity.

“Alongside ‘How to make a facemask at home’ and ‘How to claim 80% of wages’, here are the results of the UK’s most searched isolation hobbies, along with tips for getting started with each.”

Learn a Language

The UK population doesn’t have to give up on their dreams of becoming fluent in a second language. As we are all in lockdown, many Brits are prioritising learning a new language.

With the most searches occurring on 29 March, the great thing about learning a new language is you can set your own pace and milestones. Consequently, you won’t get a failing grade if you don’t reach your goals.

There are many apps that are free which give great introductions to a new language, whether it be Italian or German. You may not have spoken French or Spanish since school, but there’s no reason why you can’t finally master speaking a new language this year.

Training With Resistance Bands

With gyms and health clubs closed due to COVID-19, the UK is looking for alternative ways to keep up with their fitness and training programmes. In the world of weight training, resistance bands tend to fly under the radar. But due to current circumstances, they are perfect for home workouts for all levels.

With peaked interest for both weight training and resistance bands on the 22nd March, using resistance bands can hit all muscle groups and you can progress difficulty really easily. Not to mention they are lightweight, easy to store and relatively inexpensive.

DIY

DIY is always a popular pastime for Brits, but we have seen a steady increase in interest throughout April as lockdown measures are continuing. This is a perfect time to pick up those jobs you’ve been putting off for ages, and if you are unsure on how to do something, buy a book on DIY, or research through YouTube.

You can still get deliveries and do click and collect to buy the tools you need. It’s a good opportunity to start a new project and you’ll learn a new skill while improving your home!

Yoga

With mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of the UK’s minds, it is no surprise to learn that interest in Yoga peaked in March. Studies have shown practising Yoga regularly can help with anxiety, improve your concentration, ease pain, and boost your cognitive health overall.

Before you dive into a sun salutation or downward dog, have a look through YouTube videos to learn the basics. Starting small is actually a good idea if you want to make yoga a part of your regular routine.

Baking

Baking might seem a little intimidating for first-timers out there, which is why many are starting with basic recipes such as Banana Bread. The UK has seen a remarkable peak in searches for both baking and more specifically Banana Bread in March and April.

Alongside Banana Bread, there are a wealth of beginner bakes for Brits to start out on; Victoria Sponge, Brownies and Cupcakes are all relatively straightforward household favourites.

Gardening

Gardening is a great exercise for both the body and the mind. Usually associated with the older generation, interest in gardening is now peaking.

Whether we’re planting new flowerbeds, nurturing an allotment (following Government guidelines) or simply tending to indoor plants, the UK is finding that gardening is more than a hobby and can provide food for the family at a fraction of the cost. Online gardening centre Gardening Express has seen a huge rise in sales since lockdown began.

Growing your own vegetables also eases concerns over food availability as lockdown has slowed distribution of some crops.

Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing

Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms who either has to leave home to go to work or is aged 65 and over will now be able to get tested.

Everyone in England aged 65 and over with coronavirus symptoms can now get tested, along with symptomatic members of their household
Symptomatic workers who are unable to work from home also eligible for testing
Testing of all asymptomatic NHS and social care staff and care home residents also being rolled out
New expansion of testing made possible due to rapidly increasing testing capacity

Anyone in England with symptoms of coronavirus who has to leave home to go to work, and all symptomatic members of the public aged 65 and over, will now be able to get tested, the UK government has announced.

This will mean people who cannot work from home and those aged 65 and over can know for sure whether they have coronavirus and need to continue isolating.

Members of their households with symptoms – a new continuous cough or high temperature – will also be eligible for testing.

Anyone eligible can book a test using an online portal.

The government also announced that NHS staff, care home staff and care home residents will be eligible for testing whether or not they have symptoms.

Working with Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the government is piloting sending packages of ‘satellite’ test kits directly to care homes across England to enable testing of residents.

So far, 4,760 tests have been delivered to more than 4,300 locations. In addition, over 25,000 care staff have already been tested.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said: “Expansion of our testing programme protects our most vulnerable and keeps people safe.

“Testing is now available to all over 65s and members of their households, if they have symptoms.

“Any worker who needs to leave their home in order to go to work, and their households, if any of them have symptoms can also get a test. This means construction workers to emergency plumbers, research scientists to those in manufacturing – can now be tested.

“All they need to do is go on the internet and apply for a test.”

Testing for coronavirus helps the government and scientists understand its current spread and plan how to manage the pandemic.

As capacity has increased, testing has been offered to different groups in a phased approach, prioritising NHS workers. However, the ultimate aim is that anyone who needs a test will be able to have one.

Yesterday’s announcement marks a further step towards that goal. It follows the announcement last week that all essential workers with symptoms can now book a coronavirus test, or order a home testing kit, using the new online portal.

There are now more than 40 drive-through testing sites across the country, and, by the end of the week, 25,000 home testing kits will be available for ordering every day.

A network of mobile testing units is also travelling the country to reach care homes, police stations, prisons and other sites where there is demand for testing. The network is expected to reach over 70 units by the weekend.

Since the beginning of April, the government has significantly increased the UK’s coronavirus testing capacity, which currently stands at 73,400 tests per day and is on track to reach 100,000 tests daily by the end of the month.

The response to coronavirus is a national effort. Each of the devolved administrations will have their own eligibility criteria and testing priorities, however the government is working closely to align approaches.

Project Wingman takes off at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh

Staff at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh are set to receive the first class treatment as the latest Project Wingman lounge opens on site.

The facility, which is run by pilots and crew from across every UK airline, will provide a space for staff to unwind, de-compress and de-stress before, during and after their shifts.

The lounge, the first of which to open in Scotland, takes inspiration from the ‘first-class lounge’ experience and will offer a relaxing and friendly environment where staff can be treated to refreshments such as teas and coffee, as well as light snacks.

The Edinburgh facility is part of a UK wide initiative spearheaded by British Airways pilot and captain Dave Fielding, Emma Henderson, an EasyJet pilot, and Prof Rob Bor, a psychologist at the Royal Free hospital in London.

While a light-hearted nod to the movie Top Gun, the initiative aims to provide support for staff who are busy providing first-class care for patients.

Furloughed, grounded, or made redundant by the COVID-19 crisis, the aircrews involved are all volunteering their time to put a smile on faces, while offering a much needed space for rest and relaxation.

Inga Cosway, Healthy Working Lives Co-ordinator, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, said that across NHS Lothian, work has been ongoing to provide a range of facilities and support for staff. This has included the provision of a number of support helplines, as well as quiet spaces for staff to use.

Inga said, “We are delighted to welcome airline crew to our forces here at the Royal Infirmary. The Project Wingman lounge will provide a welcome space for colleagues to pause, reflect and unwind as together we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Most of us will never have experienced the luxury of a first-class lounge, but I know that staff are delighted to have this facility available to them and cannot wait to meet the captain and his crew. We are grateful to the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation who have provided essential funding to make this happen.”

The Edinburgh facility, is being run and managed by Captain Paul Singleton, a pilot with Virgin Atlantic. Paul said that he wanted to give something back to NHS staff after personally seeing the work that they do day in and day out.

Paul said: “Like many others I wanted to do something to help and support the NHS at this critical time. My son had a major operation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh and I cannot thank staff enough for the outstanding care that he received. I was in awe of NHS staff before the COVID-19 crisis hit, but now, more than ever I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks and admiration.

“As aircrew, we are highly trained, well organised & excellent communicators. Using these skills we hope to support every member of staff at the Royal Infirmary, who are working tirelessly as we navigate the uncharted territories that COVID-19 is presenting us with.”

The Project Wingman lounge is available for all staff and is open daily from 7am – 9pm.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “This is an excellent initiative run by pilots and crew from airlines across the UK to use their skills and experience to support NHS staff at this challenging time.

“NHS frontline staff are going above and beyond every single day, putting themselves at risk to care for everyone, and it is more important than ever to look after those who look after us.

“The incredible efforts made by all NHS staff during this period must be recognised not just now, but also in the future, by continuing to support those who are risking everything for us.”

Scots encouraged to use face protection in enclosed public places

Coronavirus update: First Minister’s speech Tuesday 28 April 2020:

Good afternoon. Thanks for joining us for today’s briefing.

I want to start – as I always do – by updating you on some of the key statistics in relation to Covid-19 in Scotland.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, there have been 10,721 positive cases confirmed – an increase of 200 from yesterday.

A total of 1,754 patients are in hospital with Covid-19 – that is an decrease of eight from yesterday.

A total of 126 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid 19. That is also a decrease of 8 since yesterday.

These figures continue to give us cause for cautious optimism.

I am also able to confirm today the positive news that since 5 March, a total of 2,448 patients who had tested positive for the virus have been able to leave hospital.

On a much sadder note, I have to report that in the last 24 hours, 70 deaths have been registered of patients who have been confirmed through a test as having Covid-19 – that takes the total number of deaths in Scotland, under that measurement, to 1,332.

Tomorrow of course will see the publication of National Records of Scotland weekly statistics that cover not just those who have die having had a positive test, but those where Covid-19 is a presumed factor in the deaths.

These numbers, as I stress every day, are not just statistics. Behind each of these numbers is a unique and irreplaceable individual whose loss is a source of grief to many. So once again, I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one to this virus.

I also want to thank – as I always do and consider it important that we always do – our health and care workers. Everyone across Scotland is grateful to you for the extraordinary work that you are doing.

Many of us will have joined the minute’s silence at 11 o’clock today to honour the frontline workers – including, of course, health and care workers – who have sadly lost their lives while working to tackle this pandemic.

It was a reminder of the selflessness of our health and care workers – choosing to treat and care for others during a time of crisis – and it was also a reminder of the government’s duty to do everything we can to keep those workers safe.

I have two issues I want to update you on today.

The first relates to testing. We have been making steady progress on increasing our testing capacity over the last month – from an initial starting capacity that could cope with 350 tests a day to a capacity of at least 3,500 by the end of this month.

We will give a further update on testing capacity at the end of the week.

As a result of the work we have been doing so far to build capacity, we have already been able to expand testing in some priority areas.

Tests are currently made available and processed within NHS labs for:

people in hospital with symptoms of Covid-19 and all those in intensive care
people who have been referred for testing by their local Covid hubs
people in care homes who have symptoms
people who are being admitted to care homes
and key workers in our health and care services and where appropriate their family members. More than 20,000 people in that category have now been tested.

In addition, of course, key workers in other sectors – for example the prison service – are now able to book tests online for the drive through centres established at different locations around the country.

We are today expanding testing further. All NHS Boards are now being asked to put in place procedures to test all those over 70 who are admitted to hospital for any reason – not just those with Covid symptoms.

As we know, the virus can have an especially severe impact on older people. And so although we don’t usually test people without symptoms – because the test isn’t totally reliable in those cases – we do think that there could be a benefit in testing older people both on their admission to hospital and then at intervals thereafter.

So patients in this category will be tested on admission, and then every four days throughout their stay in hospital.

This will help us identify if the virus is being transmitted in hospital, and if so, how and where. It will also help us provide better care for older people in hospital and therefore contribute to our wider efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

The second issue I want to address relates to face coverings, an issue which has attracted lots of attention recently. Guidance on this has just been published on the Scottish Government’s website.

I want to stress at the outset that I am talking here about face coverings made of cloth or other textiles, such as a scarf. I am not talking about medical grade face masks that health and social care workers wear.

The guidance makes clear that the most important step we can all take to prevent transmission of the virus is to comply with the current stay at home, social distancing and hygiene rules.

Face coverings are not – I repeat not – a substitute for any of that.

The guidance also makes clear that the evidence on use of face coverings is still limited.

However, it recognises that there may be some benefit in wearing a face covering if you leave the house and enter an enclosed space where you will come into contact with multiple people and safe social distancing is difficult – for example on public transport or in shops.

Of course just now, most shops are closed so this would apply in particular to food shops.

To be clear the benefit comes mainly in cases where someone has the virus but isn’t aware of that because they are not experiencing symptoms and therefore not isolating completely – so wearing a face covering in these circumstances may reduce the chance of that person transmitting the virus to others.

The Scottish Government is now recommending the use of face coverings in these limited circumstances as a precautionary measure.

Given that the evidence is relatively weak, we are not at this stage making this mandatory or suggesting that it will be enforced, though we will keep that under review as we go into future phases of managing and tackling the pandemic.

And of course it is worth bearing in mind that there are some people – people with asthma, for example – may have very good reasons for choosing not to cover their mouth and nose when they are out and about.

And we are not recommending the use of face coverings for children under the age of two.

However, to repeat we are recommending that you do wear a cloth face if you are in an enclosed space with others where social distancing is difficult, for example on public transport or in a shop.

Let me emphasise the key point here which is that you should not really be in situations very often like that right now if you are complying with the stay at home rules.

The guidance states that there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that there are benefits to wearing a face covering outside, except in unavoidably crowded situations. Again, we are keeping that aspect under review.

The guidance also includes some information on how to safely apply and wash coverings.

When you are applying or removing the face covering, you should wash your hands first, and avoid touching your face. And after each time you wear the covering, you must wash it at 60 degrees centigrade, or dispose of it safely.

The detailed guidance, as I’ve said, is available on the Scottish Government’s website, and the guidance on the NHS Inform website will also be updated very soon.

The most important point I want to stress is this one. The wearing of facial coverings is an extra precaution that you can and, we are suggesting, you should take. It may do some good in some limited circumstances. It is not – and must not be seen as – a substitute for the other rules and guidelines that we have been stressing.

In particular, anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 – and all members of their household, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms – must self-isolate. Guidance on that is available on the NHS Inform website.

And physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene – covering up coughs with disposable handkerchiefs, or even with your sleeve – remain the most important and effective measures we can all adopt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

So please, above all else, continue to follow the rules that we have set out.

Stay at home, except for essential purposes such as buying food or medicine, or exercising.

If you do leave the house, you should stay 2 metres apart from other people, and you should not meet up with people from other households.

And you should wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.

I know that sticking to these rules is really, really difficult but it is essential. It is how all of us can help to slow the spread of the virus, to protect the NHS, and continue to save lives. So thank you for sticking with it.

Primary Care services to remain open over May public holidays

Primary care services will remain open during the May public holidays, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has confirmed.

Funded by £8.2 million from the Scottish Government, GP services and community pharmacies have been asked to remain open on the May public holidays, with NHS 24 operating with an increased number of call handlers.

Ms Freeman has praised the response and dedication of healthcare staff across the country who are ensuring people can continue to access services during the pandemic.

Ms Freeman said: “Health and social care staff are already working incredibly hard to look after people during this pandemic, and I want to thank each and every one of them for their ongoing commitment and dedication during this unprecedented time.

“Last month we asked GP services to remain open during the Easter holidays and once again, we have asked them to do the same for the May public holidays.

“Community pharmacies will also be open so they can continue to provide advice and treatment through the extended Minor Ailment Service for minor illnesses and common conditions. We have also taken steps to ensure NHS 24 can continue to meet the increase in demand.”

Dr Andrew Buist, chair of the BMA’s Scottish GP Committee, said: “Practices and out of hours services are working under increased pressure during this pandemic and I am extremely grateful to GPs across Scotland who are all willing to put in the extra work that is needed to help the NHS fight this virus.

“During this unprecedented time, GPs have been asked to keep their practices open over public holidays and, as we have witnessed recently over the Easter weekend, patients have been receptive to these changes and how we have adapted. The BMA was also clear that this needed to be supported by the Scottish Government and we welcome the funding put in place to make this happen.

“It is very important for patients to know their NHS is open for non-COVID-19 related health concerns, and they should always contact their GP if they have any worries. General practice is part of the protective ring around Scotland’s hospital system as we fight this pandemic.

“I am proud of how quickly GPs have responded to these challenging times with flexibility and ingenuity. There is a huge amount of work being put in from the Scottish Government and across the system and we should continue to work together with clear thinking and strong leadership.”

Health advice can be found at NHS Inform.

Edinburgh book subscription service confirms 52% increase in sales

Monthly book delivery complemented by digital book club offers a welcome distraction and meaningful network for women across the world
Book club strives to combat Coronavirus loneliness, anxiety and unease

Since its emergence onto the scene in 2017, Rare Birds Book Club has seen growth of 86% and 57% year on year respectively – but since lock down measures commenced, the subscription service and digital book club headquartered in Scotland has reported a staggering 52% growth over the course of the past four weeks.

At the beginning of the year, the club was just about to hit 1,000 subscribers per month, an almost 50/50 split of those buying for themselves (51%) and those buying as gifts (49%) however, post lock down, the emphasis on sales has shifted firmly towards gift purchasing with hundreds of orders including messages of consolation, comfort and togetherness.

The pay-as-you go option has also taken off, with people looking to enjoy the service without having to commit longer-term; a bonus in these times of uncertainty and the business has also recorded a marked increase in international sales with 10% of all orders now being shipped internationally.

In the short-term, mail outs are now being done from Rachel’s spare room instead of her headquarters in Edinburgh city centre!

Rachel Wood, founder of Rare Birds Book Club comments: “My spare room is basically now a small warehouse, but it means we’ve been able to stay fully operational during lockdown.

“Once books are picked, packed and ready to go, they are collected by Royal Mail in a seamless operation that is completely contactless. My staff and I are all isolated in our own homes and have different responsibilities to keep us ticking over – I do the big send outs and individual orders are done elsewhere.”

A simple, yet personal subscription, Rare Birds Book Club offers members the chance to pick between two surprise books each month (or upgrade to both) before joining like-minded subscribers in the digital book club to discuss this month’s read.

Its ethos being rooted in a service that was both letter-box friendly and heavily digital has been key in driving the sales spike that has kept the business operational when so many others have temporarily or indefinitely closed-down.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Rachel also launched a podcast a few weeks ago, which sees her and two friends waxing lyrical about all things books.

“The first few episodes were pre-recorded and ready to go, so we were able to launch quickly. Now in lockdown we record remotely; each of us with the same microphone we’d use together. We host the discussion through a video chat on my computer so it’s all online, and it’s recorded by connecting the computer up with our soundboard to keep the quality high. Then we edit and release as normal.”

With COVID-19 still keeping us in our homes and with reports of mental health issues on the rise, it seems reading and podcast listening will only increase to help combat loneliness, anxiety and the unease Coronavirus has brought. For Rare Birds Book Club that suggests 2020 is set to be a year of even bigger growth.

For more information visit https://rarebirdsbookclub.com/

Cyrenians raises over £200,000 towards emergency appeal

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyrenians launched an emergency appeal to enable the charity to respond effectively to the crisis. Thanks to support from individuals and businesses across Scotland, they are already over 80% of the way towards their £250,000 target.

Cyrenians tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness. In the past 6 weeks, Cyrenians have helped house rough sleepers into self-contained hotel accommodation and are continuing to provide support alongside partner organisations.

They are also delivering up to 40 tonnes of food a week to charities and community groups across central and south east Scotland from their Fareshare depot in Leith. Just across the road, their repurposed cook school is producing up to a 1000 healthy, freezer-friendly ready-meals a day.

CEO Ewan Aitken said; “The response from communities across Scotland to this crisis has been outstanding. People have responded with a real sense of compassion, knowing that more than ever now is the time to pull together.

“We knew that responding to this would stretch already-limited resources, and so we set an ambitious goal to ensure we could continue providing our critical services and allow us to respond flexibly – providing support where it’s needed most.

“We’ve been humbled by the number of donations we’ve received – from individuals donating their weekly coffee or monthly gym membership fees, to businesses donating larger sums that have allowed us to overhaul the way we work.

“Standard Life Aberdeen have been supporters of ours since before this crisis, and, when Covid-19 hit, they were quick to reach out to offer generous additional support, allowing us to continue caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of everyone at Cyrenians – support like this makes our work possible”

Sandy MacDonald from Standard Life Aberdeen said, “Cyrenians acted quickly in a time of great need, adapting their business model so they can get thousands of meals to those who need it most.

“We’re delighted to play our part in helping them achieve their aim to serve 40,000 meals in the next 100 days. Well done to all those involved and thank you from all of us to the team at Cyrenians for continuing their vital support in our community at this challenging time”

To find out more about Cyrenians’ emergency appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Covid19CrisisAppeal