Latest update: Rise in Covid-19 cases puts a hold on Phase 4 of the routemap out of lockdown
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Since yesterday, an additional 77 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Scotland, 12 of which are within the NHS Grampian area.
A total of 407 cases have been identified in the Grampian Health Board area since 26 July, 237 of which are associated with the cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs, and 1185 contacts have now been identified from those 237 cases.
Speaking during First Minister's questions today, Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is the highest number of new cases in almost three months, which underlines the need for continued caution.
"I am not able to indicate, today, a move from phase 3 of our route map out of lockdown to phase 4.
"We will remain, for now, in phase 3 and I must give notice today that this may well be the case beyond the next review point too.
"For us to move to phase 4, we would have to be satisfied , and I’m quoting from our routemap, that “the virus is no longer considered a significant threat to public health”.
"As today’s figures have demonstrated, and as has been confirmed to me in advice from the chief medical officer, this is definitely not the case.
"The figures we have been reporting in recent weeks show that incidence and prevalence of the virus continue to be at low levels in Scotland as a whole.
"We are also recording more positive cases than three weeks ago.
"When we last reviewed the lockdown measures, we had recorded 14 new cases a day, on average, over the previous week.
"We are now recording 52 new cases a day on average - and in the past three weeks we have seen one significant outbreak of the virus in Aberdeen, and a number of smaller clusters in locations across the country.
"As I said yesterday, there is evidence now that the original cluster of cases linked to pubs is coming under control, but in recent days we have continued to see new cases which do not seem to be linked to that first cluster.
"Because of that, restrictions in Aberdeen have been extended, but they will be reviewed again on Sunday, with a view to setting out - if possible - a firm timetable for lifting the restrictions.
"We are also now dealing with a significant cluster in Coupar Angus, linked to a 2 Sisters food processing plant - and that is no doubt reflected in the fact that 27 of today’s 77 cases are in the Tayside health board area.
"In total, 43 cases have been so far identified as part of that outbreak – that is 37 people who work in the plant, and six contacts of theirs.
"This number will almost certainly grow.
"Given the nature and potential scale of this outbreak, we are considering carefully and urgently whether further restrictions are necessary.
"I will chair a further meeting of Scottish Government’s resilience committee later this afternoon.
She continued: "In addition, there are several cases linked to schools which are worth noting.
"A total of eight adults at Kingspark school in Dundee have tested positive, which has prompted the decision to temporarily close that school.
"In addition, the number of cases in the cluster in north east Glasgow now stands at 16.
"There is also a separate but linked cluster of nine cases in Coatbridge.
"A number of the cases in these clusters are school children, although there is no evidence that they contracted the virus in school.
"Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board are also carrying out contact tracing around several other schools in Glasgow."
