COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
| COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland | |
|---|---|
(clockwise from top)
| |
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Scotland |
| First outbreak | Northern Italy (local)[1] Wuhan, Hubei, China (global) |
| Index case | Tayside |
| Arrival date | 19 February 2020[2]
|
| Confirmed cases | 217,127[3][4][5] (up to 28 March 2021) |
| Hospitalised cases |
|
| Critical cases |
|
| Recovered | 14,917 (total, up to 28 March 2021)[6] |
Deaths |
|
| Fatality rate |
|
| Government website | |
| Scottish Government: Coronavirus in Scotland | |
| Part of a series on the |
| COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies |
|---|
 |
|
|
The COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland is part of the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Scotland on 1 March 2020.[1] Community transmission was first reported on 11 March 2020, and the first confirmed death was on 13 March 2020.
COVID-19 became a notifiable disease in Scotland on 22 February 2020. The first cases were detected in Scotland in the following weeks. By 16 March and following the outbreak in Italy,[7][8] and based on forecasting by epidemiologists at Imperial College London[9]—the Scottish Government advised the public to avoid all "non-essential" travel and contact with others, and to work from home if possible. Those with symptoms, and their household, were asked to self-isolate. Pregnant women, the over 70s, and those with certain illnesses were asked to self-isolate for longer.[7] On 20 March 2020, schools were told to close, along with pubs, cafes and cinemas. On 23 March 2020, a 'Stay at Home' order was announced; this would come to be referred to as the UK lockdown.[10]
COVID-19 policies in Scotland began to diverge with those elsewhere in the UK as the first lockdown was lifted starting in April 2020. The Scottish government uniquely pursued a zero-COVID strategy aiming to eliminate the virus entirely in 2020, lifted lockdown rules more gradually than the rest of the country, and expanded testing capacity.[11][12] Personal protective equipment supplies and guidance were major issues early in the outbreak. A four-tier restriction system that applied to different regions of Scotland came into force later in 2020, and a lockdown applying to the whole country applied from early 2021 as the Alpha variant spread from elsewhere in the UK. A vaccination programme began in December 2020. As many restrictions were lifted later in 2021, the Delta variant and Omicron variant have since posed further challenges and prompted responses in Scotland.
Scottish healthcare service capacity was substantially reorganised in response to the outbreak[13] and clinical studies into COVID-19 have also taken place in the country.
The pandemic has had major impact across Scottish society. Care homes and healthcare were directly affected by the spread of the disease. Beyond that, it has caused major disruptions to education, law enforcement, and economic activities.
Background
On 12 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.[14] On 11 March 2020, the outbreak was declared a pandemic.[15][16][17]
Unlike the SARS outbreak of 2003, the case fatality ratio for COVID-19 [18][19] has been much lower, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[20][18]
On 24 January, the first tests for COVID-19 came back negative, with the then Chief Medical Officer Dr. Catherine Calderwood saying that the risk was low for the Scottish public, although acknowledged that cases would arrive at some point.[21] The first case was detected on 1 March and by 23 March, the country went into lockdown.
Timeline
January–March 2020
.jpg.webp){kind=spacer}
- 24 January: Five people were tested for COVID-19 in Scotland, all returning negative as an incident team was established for the disease.[22]
- 10 February: 57 tests had been conducted (all negatives),[23] a figure which rose to 412 by 25 February.[24]
- 22 February: COVID-19 was made into a "notifiable disease",[25] and a surveillance network involving 41 GP locations was established to submit samples of suspected patients, even if they had no travel history.[26]
- 26-27 February: Nike holds a conference in Edinburgh, which 70 people attend.[27][28] Although Scottish residents at the conference contracted the virus a study by Glasgow University concluded it did not cause further spread across the country.[29][30]
- 1 March: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Scotland was detected in Tayside. The person had then recently travelled to Italy. At that time, since the outbreak began in Wuhan, there had been 698 tests resulting negative for the disease.[31]
- 4 March: Two further cases were confirmed, one having travelled from Italy and the other having had contact with a known carrier.[32][33]
- 5 March: Three further cases were confirmed, totalling to 5 cases[34]
- 6 March: The number of confirmed cases double to 11.[35]
- 9 March: Cases had more than doubled again to 23 cases out of 2,101 tests conducted.[36]
- 11 March: First case of community transmission which wasn't linked to travel or confirmed cases.[37]
- 13 March: The first death from COVID-19 in Scotland was confirmed, of an elderly patient with underlying health conditions. At the time, 85 cases of the disease had been confirmed out of 3,314 tests conducted.[38]
- 16 March: 171 cases had been confirmed from 4,895 tests, with positive cases being reported by all health boards of NHS Scotland except in NHS Orkney and NHS Western Isles.[39]
- 20 March: The Scottish Government told cafes, pubs, and restaurants to close.[40][lower-roman 1]
- 23 March: With the UK death toll hitting 335 deaths and 14 in Scotland, Boris Johnson announced a nationwide 'Stay at Home' order would come into effect as of midnight and it would be reviewed every 3 weeks.[10] Former CMO Catherine Calderwood said, "This is no longer a rehearsal for something that might happen."[41] This would become known as the UK lockdown.
- 24 March: 16 patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 had died.[42]
- 25 March: The First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government was establishing a COVID-19 Advisory group to supplement the advice it was receiving from the UK-wide Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies. It was to be chaired by Professor Andrew Morris of Edinburgh University, the Director of Health Research UK, with support from vice chair David Crossman, who is the Dean of Medicine at the University of St Andrews and Chief Scientific Advisor for Health at the Scottish Government [43]
- 26 March: It was announced that 25 deaths had been reported, with 896 confirmed cases in Scotland.[44]
- 28 March: 3 Scottish woman set up Run For Heroes, a fundraising campaign that asked you to run 5k, donate £5 and nominate 5 others. The campaign went onto raise £7 million for NHS Charities COVID-19 Appeal and was the biggest viral fundraiser in the UK.
- 31 March: two cases in NHS Western Isles and one in NHS Orkney mean that COVID-19 cases have now been recorded in all of Scotland's health board areas.[45]
April to June 2020
- 1 April: Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 passed 2000 across the country, with 76 deaths in hospitals. The Scottish Government announced 3,500 tests a day by the end of the month and construction started on the SEC in Glasgow to become NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital which would hold 300 beds, expandable to 1,000.[46][47]
- 5 April: Despite initially saying she would stay in office, Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, resigned after making two trips to her second home, breaking the COVID-19 lockdown she and First Minister Sturgeon had encouraged.[48]
- 6 April: The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 which was introduced as an Emergency Bill in the Scottish Parliament on 31 March 2020 gained Royal Assent, becoming law.
- 7 April: The Scottish Government announced that 12,000 nursing and midwifery students from across the country and returning workers who had worked in the Health and Social Care sector had signed up to join the NHS workforce to help fight COVID-19, Chief Nursing Officer Fiona McQueen said, "I want to thank each and every student who has volunteered their support so far." In addition, 2,000 final year students had already joined the workforce since the call for help was sent out.[49]
- 16 April: After reviewing the lockdown with all nations in the UK, the decision was made to extend it for another 3 weeks until the 7 May. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her daily briefing said, ". . . I want to stress that the news is positive . . . Early indications are that the lockdown restrictions have resulted in a slowing down in the rate of community transmission of the virus."[50]
- 20 April: NHS Louisa Jordan in Glasgow opened as confirmed cases passed 8,400 with 915 fatalities in hospitals.[51]
- 22 April: The National Records of Scotland (NRS) released data up to 19 April. The number of deaths in Scotland was up 80% above the 5-year average. 537 deaths had been recorded in care homes, double the number of the previous week, 910 deaths had been recorded in hospitals, and 168 deaths in homes or other settings. Public Health Scotland's daily figures were under-counting deaths by up to 40%.[lower-roman 2] as it was reporting deaths in hospitals only.[52]
- 25 April: Confirmed cases surpassed 10,000.
- 27 April 2020: more than 22,000 former staff and students had volunteered to join or rejoin the healthcare and social care services in Scotland since the epidemic began,[53]
- 28 April: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised the voluntary use of (non-medical grade) cloth face masks to be used in enclosed spaces such as shops and public transport, but not generally in public, excluding those who are under two years old or who have respiratory illnesses such as asthma. However, Sturgeon noted their limitation and said that co-operation with the face mask guidance was voluntary.[54]
- 1 May: Confirmed cases of COVID-19 passed 11,500 across the country, with 1515 deaths in hospitals. The Scottish Government announced that it had reached its testing goal of 3,500 tests a day in NHS labs laid out in April with 4,661 tests carried out on 30 April. They also announced that their next target was 8,000 tests a day in NHS labs across Scotland by Mid-May.[55]
- 8 May: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reported that there was some recognition that each of the four nations of the UK might move at different speeds with regard to loosening the lockdown and that she would not be pressured into lifting restrictions prematurely.[56]
- 9 May: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) made 242 attendances for suspected COVID-19, and took 157 people to hospital with suspected COVID-19.[57] By 9 May 2020 there had been 4,503 cumulative cases of suspected COVID-19 in care homes and up to 3,672 staff had reported as absent in adult care homes due to COVID-19, representing 8.5% of all adult care home staff (43,403) for whom figures had been provided.[57]
- 10 May: Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled an exit strategy and an easing of the lockdown rules in England. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her daily briefing criticised the government for their new slogan, 'Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives' saying it wasn't clear and she asked the UK Government not to promote their ‘Stay Alert’ advertising campaign in Scotland. Sturgeon eased exercising outside to more than once a day but the public would still have to maintain social distancing at all times. She also stressed leisure activities such as sunbathing, picnics and barbecues were still prohibited.[58]
- 11 May: In a national address to Scotland on the beginning of the seventh week of lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon asked the nation "to stick with lockdown for a bit longer - so that we can consolidate our progress, not jeopardise it[…] I won't risk unnecessary deaths by acting rashly or prematurely." This marked the moment when the four nations of the UK took different strategies on handling lockdown and lifting it eventually, with Wales and Northern Ireland also continuing the 'Stay at Home' slogan. England adopted the slogan 'Stay Alert' and began to lift restrictions.[59] By 11 May 2020 a total of 101,122 COVID-19 tests had been carried out by NHS Scotland labs in hospitals, care homes or the community. In addition there were a total of 27,647 drive through and mobile tests carried out by Regional Testing Centres in Scotland.[57]
- 18 May: Anyone aged 5 or over, presenting symptoms of COVID-19 became eligible to get tested and Anosmia was added to the COVID-19 symptom list.[60][61] Nicola Sturgeon announced her plans to begin easing lockdown from 28 May and a roadmap will be published on 21 May.[62]
- 21 May: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined a four-phase "route map" for easing lockdown restrictions in Scotland that included allowing people to meet up outside with people from one other household in the first phase. The lockdown would be eased from 28 May subject to the number of new cases of COVID-19 continuing to fall.[63] Schools in Scotland would reopen on 11 August, when students would receive a "blended model" of part-time study at school combined with some learning at home.[64]
- 28 May: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an easing of the lockdown in Scotland from the following day, with people able to meet friends and family outside in groups of no more than eight but keeping two metres apart.[65]
- 8 June: A route map for easing restrictions was published by the Scottish Government.[66]
- 19 June: Some easing of lockdown restrictions with meeting outdoors of up to 8 people from two other households whilst maintaining social distancing, for single people or singles with children they may meet with another household indoors without social distancing. Face coverings mandatory on public transport. Exercise within 5 miles of home.[67]
- 29 June: Further easing of lockdown with indoor workplaces allowed to open, street access retail and outdoor markets opening, outdoor sports playgrounds, zoos and parks open, outdoor marriages allowed and people can move house. All with social distancing.[68]
July to September 2020
- 3 July: The 5 mile travel ban is lifted, self contained holiday accommodation may re-open for business, visits to care homes by one "key visitor" are permitted but meetings must be outdoors and a 2m distance maintained, young people under 12 do not need to social distance and 12-17 year olds may meet in groups of up to 8 people provided social distancing is maintained. Beer gardens and outdoor cafes can open from 6 July.[69] It will be compulsory to wear face coverings in shops from 10 July.[70]
- 10 July: Air Bridge system starts which will not require self isolation for people returning from any of 57 countries, similar to, but less than the list of Air Bridges from England and Wales.[71] Up to 15 people from five different households may meet outdoors whilst maintaining 2m social distancing, up to 8 people from three households may meet indoors and people from outside a household may stay overnight.[72]
- 10 July: Scottish Government ministers call for the British Government to sign up to the EU's vaccine programme. Following reports that Britain would procure its own vaccines independently of Brussels, Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, said: "This idiotic refusal is all about Brexit and nothing to do with the pandemic. It will cost lives." Housing Minister Kevin Stewart and Children's Minister Maree Todd also strongly expressed their concerns.[73]
- 11 August: Pupils return to schools. They do not need to socially distance but teachers have to wear masks if they are in close proximity with others and socially distance from each other. Initially no pupils had to wear face masks.
- 31 August: Pupils at high schools are obliged to wear face masks in corridors, canteens and other communal areas.[74]
- 11 September: NHS Protect Scotland app released to the public for use on iOS and Android devices, using the Exposure Notifications System developed by Apple and Google. This app provides anonymous, Bluetooth-enabled contact tracing for all users in Scotland who opt-in to the service.[75][76]
- 22 September: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces nationwide restrictions which go into effect on Friday 25 September, these restrictions affect the pub closing times to meetings within households.
- 23 September: 486 new confirmed cases were recorded in the previous 24 hours - the highest daily total since the start of the outbreak.[77]
- 24 September: 124 students at Glasgow University tested positive for the virus, causing 600 students to go into self-isolation.[78]
October to December 2020
- 1 October: Margaret Ferrier, MP for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, was suspended by her party (SNP) and referred herself to the police and the Parliamentary standards authorities after it became known that she had travelled from Scotland to Westminster the previous weekend despite awaiting the outcome of a COVID-19 test having experienced symptoms, and when notified that the test result was positive for the virus, still chose to travel home again by train, in clear breach of guidelines.[79][80][81]
- 5 October: As a further 697 cases of the COVID-19 are reported, with 218 people as inpatients and 22 in intensive care, the First Minister of Scotland is set to meet advisers to discuss new measures, including the possibility of a two-week ″circuit breaker″ to stem the escalation of cases.[82]
- 2 November: A new, 5 level, or "tier" system is introduced into Scotland - bringing new, targeted restrictions to different regions of the country.[83][84]
- 2 November: Pupils in the senior phase of Scottish education (S4-S6) must wear face masks in classrooms in addition to communal areas if the school is in level 3 or 4.[85][86][87]
- 3 November: A poll by Survation and Scotland in Union shows that 56% of Scots think the Scottish Government and UK Government should work more closely on tackling COVID-19.[88]
- 16 November: Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament which, if passed, would extend the amount of time people can send postal ballots, dissolve the Scottish Parliament 1 day before the election, allow Scottish Ministers to make the election fully postal and hold polling over a few days, make the date for the first meeting of the new Scottish Parliament and election of the Presiding Officer flexible and postpone the date of the election by 6 months.[89] Election matters are a reserved power, which only the UK Parliament holds, so this Bill would give this power to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
- 19 November: Health Secretary Jeane Freeman gives a statement to the Scottish Parliament on vaccines. She announces that Scotland is ready to administer the first vaccine for COVID-19 in the first week in February, if the vaccine is given safety clearance.[90] Freeman also announced the priorities list for the first wave of vaccinations, which will run from December to February 2021. The priorities are: “frontline health and social care staff, older residents in care homes, care home staff, all those aged 80 and over, unpaid carers and personal assistants & those delivering the vaccination.”[91]
- 20 November: 11 council areas move to level 4 and cross-border (Scotland-England) non-essential travel is made illegal.[92]
- 24 November: The 4 UK nations announce a coordinated plan for Christmas. Three households would be allowed to meet indoors, at a place of worship and outdoors for a space of 5 days (23-27 December) and travel restrictions would be eased. The so-called ‘Christmas Bubbles’ would not be able to visit bars or restaurants.
- 19 December: Following an outbreak of a mutant strain of COVID-19 in Wales, South East England, and along with seventeen cases of the new strain in Scotland, the coordinated plan for Christmas was cancelled across Britain. Shortly after Boris Johnson announced similar new restrictions in England, Nicola Sturgeon announced a travel ban to other parts of the United Kingdom. A sole exception is provided for Christmas Day, scrapping the previously planned 5 day relief from travel restrictions. Three weeks of level four restrictions are planned, and return of schools is postponed to 11 January.[93][94]
- 19 December: Nicola Sturgeon apologises to the Scottish Parliament and people after a photo of her not wearing a mask inside, while chatting to a group of women, appears on the front page of The Scottish Sun. Sturgeon said there were "no excuses" and that she was "kicking myself very hard" for breaking the law.[95][96]
January to June 2021
- January 12: Scotland's government has ordered people not to leave their home for any non-essential purpose. Only those living in tier 3 areas, including the Scottish islands, can go outside home. Also, travellers entering Scotland have to stay in self-isolation for 10 days after arrival.[97]
- February 10: BBC News reports that one million Scots had received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The government estimated that over the subsequent five days, all of the individuals in top priority groups (including those over the age of 70) would be inoculated.[98]
- February 17: Audit Scotland publishes a report that concludes the Scottish Government had not prepared adequately for a pandemic. While it commends the authorities for preventing hospitals from becoming overwhelmed during the crisis, the watchdog also notes that recommendations from pandemic planning exercises in 2015, 2016 and 2018 had not been fully implemented. One particular problem it highlights is that not enough had been done to ensure Scottish hospitals and care homes had enough personal protective equipment . Overall, it concludes that ministers "could have been better prepared to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic". Nicola Sturgeon says there are "lots of lessons to learn".[99][100]
- February 23: The Scottish Government published the Strategic Framework of proposals to gradually lift lockdown restrictions.[101]
- 21 April: The Scottish Government changes its position on the EU vaccine programme, after Nicola Sturgeon says her preference is for Scotland to be part of the UK programme, even if the country becomes independent. Speaking at election husting, Sturgeon accuses Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross of "talking down our vaccination programme" when he said its success was partly due to the British Government's vaccine procurement. Ross ripostes: "You cannot ignore the fact that in Scotland over 60% of people, from yesterday’s figures, have received the first dose of the vaccine and I was just looking at the European figures where the average is 20.5%."[102][103]
- 19 June: The Scottish Government announces a ban on travel to Great Manchester. Mayor Andy Burnham queries why travel to his city has been banned when it has a case rate of 323 per 100,000 people, while travel is still permitted to Dundee - which has a case rate of 317 per 100,000. He demands compensation for affected residents, claims that no one in the Scottish Government called him prior to the announcement and accuses Nicola Sturgeon of "treating the north of England with... contempt in bringing that in without any consultation with us."[104][105]
July 2021 to January 2022
- July 4: The World Health Organisation finds that six out of Europe's ten virus hotspots are in Scotland.[106] Tayside tops the list with 1,002 cases per 100,000 head of population over the previous fortnight. Labour's Health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie accuses the Scottish Government of being in "disarray".[107] Former BBC journalist Brian Taylor comments: "I long to see a particular Dundonian team at the top of the league but not when that team is NHS Tayside and the table records the rapid spread of this malevolent disease."[108]
- July 8: As cases surge, the Scottish Government is accused of being ‘missing in action’ as it emerges First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Health Minister Humza Yousaf are all on holiday.[109] The SNP say Sturgeon has not had a break since the pandemic began and "remains fully in charge".[110] Yousaf says he promised to take his stepdaughter to Harry Potter World, tweeting that: "Most important job I have is being a good father, step-father & husband to my wife and kids. In the last seven months they’ve had virtually no time from me."[111]
- August 9: Scotland moves beyond level 0, with most legal restrictions becoming gone or advisory, face mask rules and rules on hand hygiene and ventilation remain,
- August 18: The annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report reveals that Scotland's budget deficit has more than doubled during the course of the pandemic. While public spending rose, tax revenue in Scotland fell to £62.8 billion, resulting in a record budget deficit of 22.4% of GDP in 2020–21, with the UK as a whole recording a deficit of 14.2%. The state spent £18,144 on average per Scot - £1,828 higher than the UK average.[112] Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says the figures are “not an obstacle” to independence and adds that: “It was inevitable given the scale of the policy response that all countries would emerge from the pandemic with high fiscal deficits." Scottish Labour's Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie says: "The additional £1,828 spent per person in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK is what goes to maintaining the schools, transport and NHS on which we all rely... No credible politician can look at these figures and believe Scotland would be anything but weaker outside the Union."[113] The Institute for Fiscal Studies concludes that, while the deficit is likely to drop as the pandemic ends, an independent Scotland would start life with a large structural deficit and would likely need to raise taxes and cut spending.[114]
- October 5: Nicola Sturgeon apologies to the Scottish people after the launch of Scotland's COVID-19 vaccine passport app does not go as planned. The app does not work for many people and Sturgeon said the situation was “deeply regrettable”. Opposition politicians label the launch "shambolic".[115]
- October 9: Emails released under a Freedom of Information request reveal that the Scottish Government decided to keep Scots in the dark about an outbreak of COVID-19 at a Nike conference during the early stages of the pandemic. Nicola Sturgeon's Chief of Staff, Liz Lloyd, sent an email on 5 March 2020 urging full public disclosure; however, the following day Dr Catherine Calderwood, then the chief medical officer, said that to do so would represent a breach of patient confidentiality. Labour MP Ian Murray said the decision not to warn the public about the outbreak put lives at risk: “Had the Scottish Government taken urgent containment action after the first outbreak in Edinburgh, thousands of lives could have been saved from COVID-19. Instead, Nicola Sturgeon tried to cover up the outbreak, refusing to inform the public that more than two dozen people had been infected at a Nike conference in the capital." The Scottish Government said: "All appropriate steps were taken to ensure public health was protected following the Nike conference, with more than 60 contacts traced in Scotland, and around 50 others traced in England."[116][117]
- December 14: Scotland announces additional social mixing guidelines, urging residents to limit social mixing to no more than three households, although clarifying that this would not apply on Christmas Day.[118]
- December 18: Journalist Michael Blackley asks Sturgeon at a press briefing whether she has considered cutting the self isolation period to help with staff shortages and if more money could be made available to businesses affected by the new restrictions. Sturgeon replies: “Yeah that’d really help – that would spread infection even further and that would be not doing any favours for businesses. I don’t know if you’ve listened to a single word I’ve said, Michael. I don’t think it’s enough. But we’ve found £100m out of a fixed Budget, having to take that from elsewhere… every penny we now take, I don’t know where you think I should take it from. The health service? The education budget? The justice budget?" Tory MP Andrew Bowie says Sturgeon's response to Blackley is "arrogant, disrespectful and downright dismissive".[119]
- December 18: The Herald reports that the Scottish Parliament is likely to be recalled before the New Year to allow Sturgeon to update MSPs on Covid restrictions. Sturgeon denies the story and tweets that she has, "No idea what basis of this headline is, and it’s not helpful to add to anxiety people already feel."[120]
- December 21: It is announced that the Scottish Parliament will be recalled on 29 December to allow Sturgeon to update MSPs on Covid restrictions.[121][122]
- December 26/27: Various new restrictions are introduced in relation to the spread Omicron variant, these consist of the limits on the number of people that can meet in certain settings and the reintroduction of social settings in certain public spaces.[123]
- December 30: Sturgeon announces that an additional £107 million has been found to support business affected by Covid restrictions.[124][125]
- January 5: Sturgeon announces that the time Scots must self-isolate for will be cut from 10 days to seven to help ease staff shortages. Sturgeon says she had taken into account the "burden of self-isolation on the economy".[126]
- January 18: Sturgeon announces that the restrictions introduced over Christmas in relation to the Omicron wave of the virus will be rolled back on the 24 January.[127]
- February 16: The Scottish government has confirmed that all children aged five to eleven will receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The Scottish decision comes after the Welsh devolved government said on February 15 that it would follow unpublished advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) and vaccinate all children in that age range.[128]
Government response plan
First Minister of Scotland
Cabinet Secretary for Health
.jpg.webp)
Minister for Public Health
National Clinical Director
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
The main coordinating bodies responsible for Scotland's COVID-19 response is the Scottish Government Resilience Division and the COVID Health Response Directorate of the Health and Social Care Directorates. On 25 March the Scottish Government set up an expert advisory group to help develop and improve its COVID-19 response plan. [129] Dr Catherine Calderwood was Chief Medical Officer until her resignation from the post on 5 April. Nicola Sturgeon accepted her resignation on 5 April, and replaced Calderwood on an acting basis with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith. Jeane Freeman served as Health Secretary until she stepped down in May 2021. As of 26 May, the Key Scottish Government officials in Scotland leading the response to the outbreak are:
- First Minister of Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Humza Yousaf
- Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport: Maree Todd
- Chief Medical Officer for Scotland: Dr. Gregor Smith
- Chief Scientist Office: Professor David Crossman
- Chief Nursing Officer: Professor Amanda Croft
- National Clinical Director: Professor Jason Leitch
- Chief Economist: Gary Gillespie
Containment measures
Workplace hygiene advice was published on 9 March 2020 which included routine deep cleaning in regularly used touch points such as phones, card machines or door handles.[130] Later, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on mass gatherings (500 or more) on 12 March, with the ban starting on 16 March.[131] A number of schools were closed due to reported symptoms, and underwent deep cleaning.[132] On 18 March, it was announced that schools in Scotland would be closed starting on 20 March.[133]
Unlike the rest of the UK, Scotland pursued a Zero-COVID strategy after the first nationwide lockdown was lifted.[11]
Public Health Scotland
On 1 April 2020, the Scottish Government launched the new Public Health Scotland (PHS) agency, as a result of a three-way merger between NHS Health Scotland and the Information Services Division (ISD) and Health Protection Scotland (HPS) sections of Public Health and Intelligence (PHI) (which was in itself a strategic business unit of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS)).[134] According to a 6 May 2020 report by the Press and Journal, PHS employs 1,100 staff and has a budget this year of £71 million, and it is jointly accountable to the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).[135]
'Scotland Cares' campaign
A new 'Scotland Cares' campaign was launched on Monday 30 March to encourage people to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 21,000 people signed up on the first day. By 4 April, the number of registrations to volunteer stood at 50,330. Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said, "The response to the Scotland Cares campaign has been outstanding and I want to thank each and every person who has signed up to volunteer during the COVID-19 outbreak. Your support at this critical time is invaluable and will make a huge difference over the coming weeks and months."[136][137] In addition, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer via the Ready Scotland website.[138]
Vulnerable groups
Those in vulnerable groups were able from 3 April to register for deliveries of food and medicine. This included around 120,000 people in Scotland who had been advised to shield[139] at home (12 weeks of self-isolation), those with suppressed or compromised immune systems, and those with underlying health conditions. The Scottish Government mailed out information about self-isolating if symptoms developed in a household member and about protective measures during the pandemic.[140]
Levels System
October 2020
From 23 October, the Scottish Government introduced a new 5-level System, similar to that in England. Levels ranged from 0 to 4 (inclusive). Social distancing measures applied in all levels, and some measures such as encouraging active transport, were present in all levels.
| 2020 Levels (these no longer apply) | Level 0 NEARLY NORMAL[141] | Level 1 MEDIUM[142] | Level 2 HIGH[143] | Level 3 VERY HIGH[144] | Level 4 LOCKDOWN[145] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socialising | Indoors 8 people from 3 households
Outdoors 15 people from 5 households |
Indoors 6 people from 2 households
Outdoors 8 people from 3 households |
No Socialising Indoors
Outdoors 6 people from 2 Households |
No Socialising Indoors
Outdoors 6 people from 2 Households |
No Socialising Indoors
Outdoors 6 people from 2 Households (Excluding Hospitality Settings) |
| Hospitality | Licensing times apply | Last Entry at 21:30 with closing time an hour later. | Alcohol allowed with meal.
Indoors Last Entry at 19:00 with closing time an hour later. Outdoors Last Entry at 21:30 with closing time an hour later. |
Alcohol prohibited
Last Entry at 17:00 with closing time an hour later. |
Closed |
| Travel and Transport | Non-essential travel allowed (except travel to and from level 3 or 4 areas in Scotland, and to/from rest of UK.)
Non-essential travel on public transport permitted |
Non-essential travel allowed (except travel to and from level 3 or 4 areas in Scotland, and to/from rest of UK.)
Non-essential travel on public transport permitted |
Non-essential travel allowed (except travel to and from level 3 or 4 areas in Scotland, and to/from rest of UK.)
Non-essential travel on public transport permitted |
Essential travel only to and from level 3 or 4 areas in Scotland, and to/from rest of UK.
No non-essential travel on public transport |
Essential travel only to and from level 3 or 4 areas in Scotland, and to/from rest of UK.
No non-essential travel on public transport |
| Places of Worship | Open. Max no: 50 people | Open. Max no: 50 people | Open. Max no: 50 people | Open. Max no: 50 people | Open. Max no: 20 people |
| Support Services | Open | Open | Open | Open, but online where possible | Open for essential support services, but online where possible |
| School and University | Open | Open | Open with some measures. | Open with enhanced measures.
Restricted blending in Universities. |
Open with enhanced measures.
Restricted blending in Universities. |
| Shopping | Open | Open | Open | Open | Non-essential stores closed.
Click and Collect services allowed |
| Close Contact Services | Open | Some measures apply | Some measures apply | Some measures apply | Closed |
| Childcare and Children's activities | Open with standard measures | Open with standard measures | Open with more measures | Open with enhanced measures | Early learning and childcare open with targeted intervention to impact capacity.
Essential informal childcare only. Only outdoor unregulated children's activities |
| Visitor Attractions, Leisure & Entertainment facilities and public buildings | Open, excluding adult entertainment venues & nightclubs | Open, excluding adult entertainment venues & nightclubs | Visitor attractions open with additional measures.
Cinemas, amusement arcades, bingo halls open. Soft play, funfairs, indoor bowling, theatres, snooker/ pool halls, music venues, casinos, nightclubs and adult entertainment closed Driving Lessons permitted |
Visitor attractions open with additional measures.
All leisure & entertainment venues including cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls closed. Driving Lessons permitted |
Closed.
Driving Lessons prohibited. |
| Events and Stadia | Outdoor events allowed
Indoor seated/ambulatory events (including theatres) allowed with restricted numbers Stadium seated events allowed with restricted numbers Indoor grouped standing events prohibited |
Outdoor seated events, and open space events allowed.
Outdoor grouped events prohibited Indoor seated events allowed with further restricted numbers Stadium seated events allowed with further restricted numbers Indoor grouped standing events prohibited |
Events generally not allowed.
Stadia and theatres to close. Drive in events allowed |
Events prohibited.
Stadia closed |
Events prohibited.
Stadia closed |
| Public Services | Open | Open | Reduced face to face public services. | Reduced face to face public services. | Essential face to face public services only. |
| Sports | Open | Open, except for over 18 indoor contact sport | Open, except for over 18 indoor contact sport | Indoor individual exercise only (excluding under 18)
Outdoor sport allowed except over 18 contact sport. |
Indoor sport venues closed.
Outdoor non-contact sports allowed |
| Work | Open, but working from home advised | Open, except for non-essential call centres.
Working from home advised |
Open, except for non-essential call centres.
Working from home advised |
Open, except for non-essential call centres.
Enhanced measures in place Working from home advised |
Work from home, excluding essential work, outdoor workplaces, manufacturing and construction |
| Events | Max of 50 people at Wedding/Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Max of 50 people at Funerals Max of 50 people at post-funeral receptions/gatherings No Wedding/Civil Partnership reception allowed. |
Max of 20 people at Wedding/Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Max of 20 people at Funerals Max of 20 people at post-funeral receptions/gatherings No Wedding/Civil Partnership reception allowed. |
Max of 20 people at Wedding/Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Max of 20 people at Funerals Max of 20 people at post-funeral receptions/gatherings No Wedding/Civil Partnership reception allowed. |
Max of 20 people at Wedding/Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Max of 20 people at Funerals Max of 20 people at post-funeral receptions/gatherings No Wedding/Civil Partnership reception allowed. |
Max of 20 people at Wedding/Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Max of 20 people at Funerals Max of 20 people at post-funeral receptions No Wedding/Civil Partnership or Funeral reception allowed. |
| Accommodation | Open | Open | Open | Open with some restrictions.
Work related use of accommodation allowed. Local non-essential use of accommodation allowed and encouraged. |
Essential only. No tourism allowed |
Tiers as of 10 October
Tiers as of 17 November
Tiers as of 15 December
Tiers as of 26 December
February 2021
Revised Levels were published in February 2021.[146]
| 2021 Levels | Level 0[147] | Level 1[148] | Level 2[149] | Level 3[150] | Level 4[151] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 8 people from 4 households can meet in a private dwelling | 6 people from 3 households can meet in a private dwelling | 6 people from 3 households can meet in a private dwelling | 6 people from 3 households can meet in a public indoor setting; restricted travel to/from a lower Level | 4 people from 2 households can meet in a private garden or a public outdoor setting, restricted travel to/from a lower Level |
Testing and contact tracing
Testing capacity
NHS Scotland's testing capacity for COVID-19 increased from around 750 a day in early March[152] to about 1,900 a day in early April.[153]
By 15 March COVID-19 testing was extended into Scotland's communities but there would be no routine testing of people with minor symptoms.[154]
NHS Scotland plans to reach a testing capacity of around 3,500 a day by the end of April.[155][156]
Glasgow University is to launch a major COVID-19 testing facility in mid-April, staffed 24/7 by more than 500 volunteers including molecular scientists, technicians and bioinformaticians.
Aberdeen University has provided three machines to NHS Grampian to speed up COVID-19 testing.[157]
By 2 April 2020, around 3,500 tests have been conducted on NHS workers and family members in Scotland. It was also reported in that week that around 6pc of Scotland's frontline NHS staff are not currently working, either because they have COVID-19 symptoms or live with someone who has.[158] A COVID-19 testing facility for NHS staff was opened at Glasgow Airport car park on 5 April.[159]
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Catherine Calderwood described mass testing as a distraction that will not slow down the spread of the virus. She said: "I have been saying and advising the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for several weeks now about the distraction that I think the focus on testing may become. The testing is extremely useful but it is only going to be positive within a short window of perhaps 48 to 72 hours while somebody has symptoms, because there needs to be an amount of virus in that person to be able for that to be detected. But the thought that the testing in some way slows the virus or is a part of our strategy to prevent transmission is a fallacy, I'm afraid. The testing gives us more information but the social distancing and all of these stringent measures are what we actually need to prevent spread and prevent serious illnesses and death."[160][158]
Cam Donaldson, a health economist and Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Glasgow Caledonian University has written of his scepticism of a "mass testing" strategy.[161]
Derek Gatherer a leading Scottish virologist has warned plans to test, trace and isolate everyone infected with the COVID-19 after lockdown will not slow its spread.[162]
Experts who have advocated a mass or large scale testing approach include Harry Burns former Scotland Chief Medical Officer[163](subscription required) and Allan Wilson President of the Institute of Biomedical Science[164]
Professor Hugh Pennington one of the leading bacteriologists said laboratory testing could have been easily scaled up ten-fold and criticised former chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood for dismissing testing as a 'distraction' that would not help to contain the virus. Pennington believed a failure to increase testing to adequate levels will prove to be an enormous embarrassment to the UK and Scottish governments. He said: "You test, so you can trace then take appropriate action, it's basic shoe leather epidemiology," adding he would not be surprised if the lack of testing had cost lives, particularly in care homes. "We know [care homes] are hotbeds of infection, vulnerable in annual flu outbreaks and that you have to look after them by stopping the virus getting in. Much of that comes back to testing, tracing and isolating."
Former Scottish health secretary Alex Neil agreed, "the countries that have done this since day one are those with the lowest death and infection rates and mass testing allows you to identify a second wave of infection if it appears."[165]
Professor of Immunology Denis Kinane said Scotland would need to conduct at least 15,000 tests a day to get on top of the disease.
Research carried out by scientific online publication Our World In Data on COVID-19 test rates across EU member states ranked Scotland at 19 out of 25 countries that publish such data.[165]
As of 11 May 2020,[57] a total of 74,063 people in Scotland had been tested for COVID-19 in NHS labs. Of these, 13,627 tests were confirmed positive, 60,436 tests were confirmed negative and 1,862 patients who tested positive have died. A total of 101,122 COVID-19 tests had been carried out by NHS Scotland labs in hospitals, care homes or the community. In addition there were a total of 27,647 drive through and mobile tests carried out by Regional Testing Centres in Scotland.
In November two further 'mega labs' were announced as due to open early in 2021, one of which was to be at 'an unconfirmed site in Scotland'.[166] The Scottish 'mega lab' has been subject to delays and in January its construction was halted. The UK government was reported to be assessing "the long-term demand" for the laboratory.[167] Meanwhile, new regional COVID-19 laboratories were opened in Glasgow and Aberdeen during December 2020, but another planned for Edinburgh has not yet opened.[168]
Contact tracing system
Ciaran Jenkins of Channel 4 News contrasted the differing approaches on contact-tracing strategy between the Republic of Ireland and the health authorities in the UK including Scotland's.[169][170]
Public health expert Prof Allyson Pollock has argued that a bespoke test-trace-isolate approach could work well in Scottish island communities.[171]
Public healthcare infrastructure
Primary care network
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said in a statement in the Scottish Parliament a network of COVID-19 local assessment centres was to be set up across Scotland with 50 planned in the first wave.[172][173][174][175] A network of "humanitarian assistance centres" is also to be set up, working with GPs and other local partners to arrange delivery of medicine, care services and grocery delivery.[176]
Hospital capacity
Scotland has an estimated 3,000 hospital beds expected to be available for COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Scotland.[153]
ICU capacity across Scotland has doubled to 360 beds since the emergency began, 250 of which will be for the exclusive use of COVID-19 patients, with that number expected to increase to more than 500 in the first week of April as preparations continue towards eventually quadrupling the number to more than 700 ICU beds.[153]
The NHS Louisa Jordan emergency COVID-19 hospital facility at the SEC Centre will initially have capacity for 300 patients, which could be expanded in the future to more than 1,000.[153]
Scottish hospitals plan to have around 1,000 ventilators by the summer for COVID-19 patients.[177]
By 1 April 2020, NHS clinical and technical staff have converted over 200 anaesthetic machines into ventilators to increase ICU bed availability to more than 500, tripling the usual capacity.[178]
By 24 March more than 3,000 retired Scottish nurses, doctors and other medical workers have volunteered to return to work as part of efforts to help the NHS cope. As well as using retired workers, all final year nursing and midwifery students will also be given paid work placements on wards during the final six months of their degree programmes.[179]
On 30 March, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the suspension of several non-COVID-19 screens (such as diabetic eye screening) to help free up NHS staff and reduce the risk of virus exposure to patients. All elective and non-urgent surgeries had already been cancelled across Scotland to free up hospital beds.[180]
On 27 April 121 junior doctors have started their careers early to support NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Scotland's largest health board in its COVID-19 response. A new post, foundation intermediate year, was created to allow them to start earlier instead of August and they would be placed at Glasgow Royal Infirmary; Queen Elizabeth University Hospital; Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley; and Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock.[181]
As of 11 May 2020,[57] 3,114 inpatients have been discharged from Scottish hospitals since 5 March 2020, who had been tested positive for COVID-19. 632 people are in delayed discharge in Scottish hospitals. This is 980 less than the baseline period (04/03 weekly return). A total of 6,227 staff (or around 3.8%) of the NHS Scotland workforce, are reporting as absent due to a range of COVID-19 related reasons.
Hospital-acquired infection
On the issue of hospital-acquired infections, Michael Griffin, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh warned COVID-19 may be spreading in hospitals at twice the rate of its transmission in communities.[182] He said "we have to make our hospital environment as safe as possible. In the general population, the rate of reproduction of COVID-19 is less than one but in hospitals it is estimated at something like two."
A&E departments
The number of people attending Accident and Emergency departments in Scotland has fallen by more than 55% compared with 2019. NHS Scotland statistics reveal 11,881 people attended A&E in the second week of April 2020, down from 26,674 patients in 2019 and 25,067 in 2018.[182]
NHS staffing levels
As of 2 April, more than 14% of NHS Scotland staff were off work, according to Scottish government data and about 41% of those absences (equating to 9,719 people) were related to COVID-19. NHS Scotland's total workforce is about 166,000 people.[183]
As of 11 May 2020,[57] a total of 6,227 staff (or around 3.8%) of the NHS Scotland workforce, are reporting as absent due to a range of COVID-19 related reasons.
Personal protective equipment
On 2 April, new guidance on appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare hospital, general practice, ambulance and social care workers responding to COVID-19 has been issued by officials.[184]
On 26 April 2020, in response to a Sunday Times story that claimed the Scottish government failed to accept offers from six Scottish firms offering to supply PPE, a spokeswoman for the Scottish government said it had received 1,600 offers of help from Scottish businesses and individuals to supply or manufacture PPE and that a dedicated team and mailbox had been set up to focus on offers from local and global suppliers. The spokeswoman added: "We understand that potential suppliers will desire prompt decisions but our priority focus is to quickly identify those offers that can supply the largest volumes at the correct quality specifications and timescales necessary to meet the requirements of frontline services".[185]
Health secretary Jeane Freeman announced that PPE would be available to social care providers through a national network of hubs from 27 April 2020.[165]
Also in April 2020 whistle-blowers in the NHS came forward to reveal that staff were being made to reuse dirty personal protective equipment (PPE) while at work. One nurse told STV, "[When we hear the government say supplies are fine] it’s not frustrating, it’s crushing. It is absolutely crushing. We feel we are being lied to."[186] Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament in July, "At no point within this crisis has Scotland run out of any aspect of PPE. We have worked hard to make sure that supplies are there, we’ve worked hard overcoming challenges that we have faced along the way."[187]
Dundee University Professor of vascular medicine Jill Belch has spearheaded a Masks for Scotland six-figure fundraising drive to buy PPE for frontline workers.
Clinical research
Organisations in Scotland involved in COVID-19 related clinical research studies[188] include the Chief Scientist Office's Rapid Research in COVID-19 programme (RARC-19 programme),[189] Health Science Scotland, NHS Research Scotland,[190] Glasgow University,[191] Dundee University,[192][193][194] Edinburgh University.[195]
As of 22 April chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said nearly 800 patients have so far taken part in at least 10 clinical studies to develop COVID-19 treatments, with another four being set up in hospitals, intensive care units and primary care facilities. One study is looking at whether existing HIV drugs including Lopinavir and Ritonavir could be used with results available in three months. Another study led by Dr Kenneth Baillie of Edinburgh University looks at the genetics of patients susceptible to severe illness by comparing patients' DNA with that of healthy people who show no or mild symptoms.
Dundee University is to lead a trial into brensocatib (formerly known as INS1007) a drug for lung inflammation (acute respiratory distress syndrome) to treat the worst symptoms of COVID-19 and prevent the need for ventilation. Up to 20% of COVID-19 patients develop lung inflammation which can require them to be ventilated. The inflammatory response to the virus causes lung damage that can lead to respiratory failure and death in severe cases. It is hoped the treatment will also lead to patients spending fewer days dependent on oxygen and shorter periods of time in hospital, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Funding and drug supply for the STOP-COVID19 (Superiority Trial of Protease Inhibition in COVID-19) trial is being provided by biopharmaceutical company Insmed Incorporated. The trial is to start in May and researchers plan to recruit 300 volunteers from 10 hospitals. The project is led by James Chalmers, professor of respiratory research at Dundee University and consultant respiratory physician at Ninewells Hospital, one of the trial sites. NHS Tayside research and development director Professor Jacob George is the study investigator.
Impacts
Health
Care homes
The Guardian's Libby Brooks reported that extra supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) would be delivered directly to more than 1,000 care homes in Scotland.
Before the pandemic the care sector usually sourced its own PPE, but as extreme pressure was put on supply chains concerns grew that PPE manufacturers did not have capacity to deliver to Scotland in adequate quantities.
The Scottish government announced on 17/18 April that the NHS National Services Scotland would prioritise the delivery of stock directly to care homes where the virus is known to be present, although stock would still be provided to local hubs which supply PPE to other social care workers. [196]
During the early stages of the pandemic 1,300 elderly hospital patients were transferred into care homes without receiving a negative COVID-19 test result.[197] Many had been infected with the virus and ended up passing it on to other care home residents.[198] Over three thousand care home residents died from COVID-19 and Gary Smith, Scotland Secretary of the GMB, said the policy had turned “care homes into morgues”.[199] When asked by the BBC if the policy had been a mistake, Sturgeon said: "Looking back on that now, with the knowledge we have now and with the benefit of hindsight, yes."[200]
Two of the worst suspected outbreaks in care homes occurred at Elderslie care home in Paisley, Renfrewshire and at Berelands House Care in Prestwick, Ayrshire.[201]
Thirteen residents at the Glasgow-based Burlington Care Home died in one week following a suspected outbreak of COVID-19. The Care Inspectorate has been made aware of the deaths and are in contact with the care service, as well as the local health and social care partnership.[202]
As of 10 May 2020,[57] 474 (44% of all) adult care homes had a current suspected COVID-19 case. This is a care home where at least one care home resident has exhibited symptoms during the last 14 days. 609 (or 56% of all) adult care homes in Scotland had reported at least one notification for suspected COVID-19 to the Care Inspectorate. 434 of these care homes have reported more than one case of suspected COVID-19. There have been 4,503 cumulative cases of suspected COVID-19 in care homes. This is an increase of 58 suspected cases on the previous day. 3,672 staff were reported as absent in adult care homes due to COVID-19, based on returns received from 822 (76%) adult care homes as of 5 May. This represents 8.5% of all adult care home staff (43,403) for whom a return was provided.
Effect of Lockdown on NHS services
An assessment of the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motor neuron disease services and mortality in Scotland has shown that there has been no early increase in mortality but that there is a need for vigilance as key services were shown to be impacted upon.[203]
Medicolegal impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on pre-existing issues in the legal framework in the UK that surround healthcare professionals and patients, encouraging action to be taken now.[204] During the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors and other healthcare professionals have worked in unfamiliar surroundings and been assigned to new clinical areas, while balancing an unprecedented workload and addressing an overall lack of knowledge about the virus itself. This has led to concerns that there may be an increase in complaints about treatment provided in these circumstances, and competing arguments on how these should be handled within the criminal, civil and regulatory system.[205]
Education
As of 19 March 2020, the Robert Gordon University, Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Dundee, the University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Aberdeen, Edinburgh University, Heriot-Watt University, University of Stirling and University of Strathclyde had cancelled or suspended face-to-face classes. Scottish political parties (Green, Conservatives, SNP) also cancelled their spring conferences.[206]
Events
In early March, with Rangers vs Leverkusen being the last game played in Scotland on 12 March, football matches in the Scottish Professional Football League were cancelled until further notice, alongside a Six Nations game between Wales and Scotland. Radio 1's Big Weekend, which was due to take place in Dundee in May 2020 was cancelled in response to the outbreak.[206]
On 7 May, The Royal National Mòd Inverness, scheduled for October was postponed to 2021. The next three Mods were also to the subsequent year.[207]
Police, court and prison systems
Scottish Police Federation (SPF) claimed new PPE for officers would not provide any “meaningful protection”, after Police Scotland announced staff would be given surgical face masks to wear when adhering to social distancing measures was not possible. But the SPF said that its new expert pandemic response panel refused to endorse the type two masks.[196]
From 27 March to 24 April 2020, police officers have made 78 arrests and issued 1,637 fixed penalty notices in Scotland related to lockdown violations.[208]
On 2 April, BBC Scotland said it found almost a quarter of Scottish Prison Service staff are absent from work amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The SPS said 110 prisoners over 11 sites were self-isolating. At that time, two had tested positive for COVID-19.[209]
The first recorded COVID-19-related death of a Scottish prison officer was announced on 22 April. SPS spokesman Tom Fox confirmed where appropriate all prison officers are provided with PPE. It is not believed that the officer caught the virus while at work.
As of 23 April 94 people in custody across nine sites are self-isolating, 12 people have tested positive and staff absences are at 19.7% of the workforce.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service has consolidated its work into 10 hub sheriff courts with as much work as possible done remotely.
It is estimated 300 to 450 prisoners will be released in phases starting at the end of April, and around 1,600 trials could be delayed if lockdown restrictions continue into the summer.
Deputy chief constable Will Kerr said the number of people in police custody has been significantly down during the pandemic and said changes during the lockdown such as virtual courts and digital evidence have helped minimise contact and time spent in custody and could be retained once the pandemic is over.
Economy
GDP
The Scottish Government's Chief Economist Gary Gillespie said Scotland's GDP could fall by as much as 33% from the lockdown crisis.
Social Security
During March and early April, there were around 110,000 Universal Credit claims in Scotland, up from an average of 20,000 a month in 2019.
Citizens Advice Scotland provides help to those who experience difficulties navigating the complex welfare system.
Transport Industry
Glasgow Taxi Owners' Association urged taxi drivers to be careful during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, after hearing reports of drivers falling ill.[210] Chief Nursing Officer Fiona McQueen said good hand hygiene is vital along with physical distancing and wearing face coverings when in enclosed spaces such as shops and public transport.[211][212]
Retail Industry
Retail sales in Scotland for March 2020 declined 13% in comparison to March 2019 Scottish Retail Consortium-KPMG Scottish Retail Monitor. Pre-lockdown the monitor recorded a 9% growth in the first three weeks of March but this was followed by a 44% decline in the last two weeks of that period. Total food sales were up 12.1% against the previous year while total non-food sales were down 33.6%. Adjusted for the estimated effect of online sales, total non-food sales decreased by 27.9%.[213]
Construction Industry
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said its headline statistic for workloads in Scotland fell into negative territory for the first time in four years, dropping by 4% in the first three months of 2020. Its quarterly survey of members found confidence fell sharply when the lockdown measures were introduced.
In Scotland, work was ordered to be suspended on all non-essential construction projects from 6 April.[214] By 17 April 79% of all housebuilding schemes had been suspended (according to a Glenigan survey of projects with a construction value of more than £250,000).[215]
Statistics
Total cases and deaths
Total number of laboratory confirmed cases and deaths recorded 28 days after a positive lab test result.
New cases
Number of people who have had a lab-confirmed positive test result.
New cases per week
New cases per day
- 2020
- 2021
Number of deaths
Number of people who die within 28 days of a positive lab test result.
New deaths per week
New deaths per day
- 2020
- 2021
See also
Notes
- ↑ Beyond these 3 types of establishments, also told to close were:
- Nightclubs and other drinking establishments
- Cinemas, theatres and bingo halls and concert halls
- Spas, wellness centres and massage parlours
- Casinos and betting shops
- Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools
- ↑ Deaths in Scotland with COVID-19 mentioned as a cause:
- 910 in hospitals (57%)
- 537 in care homes (33%)
- 168 in homes and other settings (10%)
References
- 1 2 "Coronavirus: first case is confirmed in Scotland". Scottish Financial Review. 1 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ↑ da Silva Filipe, Ana; Shepherd, James G.; Williams, Thomas; Hughes, Joseph (21 December 2020). "Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 from mainland Europe into Scotland". Nature Microbiology. 6 (1): 112–122. doi:10.1038/s41564-020-00838-z. PMID 33349681.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) in UK". Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ↑ "Public Health Scotland". Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "gov.scot". Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ↑ Inpatients who have been discharged from hospital since 5 March 2020, who had tested positive for COVID-19
- 1 2 "Coronavirus: PM says everyone should avoid office, pubs and travelling". BBC News. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ Remuzzi, Andrea; Remuzzi, Giuseppe (13 March 2020). "COVID-19 and Italy: what next?". The Lancet. 395 (10231): 1225–1228. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30627-9. ISSN 0140-6736. PMC 7102589. PMID 32178769.
- ↑ Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team (16 March 2020). "Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID19 mortality and healthcare demand" (PDF). Imperial College London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- 1 2 "Prime Minister's National Address (23/3/20)". 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- 1 2 Sridhar, Devi; Chen, Adriel (6 July 2020). "Why Scotland's slow and steady approach to covid-19 is working". BMJ. 370: m2669. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2669. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 32631899. S2CID 220347771.
- ↑ Dan, Vevers (27 April 2020). "Overview of Scottish COVID-19 outbreak". STV News. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ↑ Rimmer, M. P.; Wattar, BH Al (2020). "Provision of obstetrics and gynaecology services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of junior doctors in the UK National Health Service". BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 127 (9): 1123–1128. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16313. PMC 7283977. PMID 32460422. S2CID 218976768.
- ↑ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ↑ "WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020". World Health Organization. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus could spread 'significantly' – PM". BBC News. 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ↑ "COVID-19: government announces moving out of contain phase and into delay". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- 1 2 "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ↑ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ↑ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ↑ STV News (3 May 2020). "100 day that has transformed Scotland". Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "Incident team set up as five tested for coronavirus". BBC News. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "More than 50 people tested for coronavirus in Scotland". Evening Express. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus preparations stepped up in Scotland". BBC News. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus becomes 'notifiable disease' in Scotland". Holyrood. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Surveillance testing system for Covid-19 begins". BBC News. 1 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ McCall, Chris (9 June 2020). "Edinburgh Nike conference did not cause wider outbreak of Covid-19 in Scotland". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Nike conference kilt-fitter 'developed symptoms'". BBC News. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (15 June 2020). "Coronavirus at Nike conference was 'not the base for a wider outbreak'". The Edinburgh Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ↑ Filipe, Ana Da Silva; Shepherd, James; Williams, Thomas; Hughes, Joseph; Aranday-Cortes, Elihu; Asamaphan, Patawee; Balcazar, Carlos; Brunker, Kirstyn; Carmichael, Stephen; Dewar, Rebecca; Gallagher, Michael D. (9 June 2020). "Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 spread in Scotland highlights the role of European travel in COVID-19 emergence". medRxiv: 2020.06.08.20124834. doi:10.1101/2020.06.08.20124834. S2CID 219544963. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ↑ "Scotland confirms first case of coronavirus". Evening Standard. 1 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Two more Scotland cases confirmed as UK total hits 90". City A.M. 5 March 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Two new coronavirus cases confirmed in Scotland". The Times. 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland". gov.scot. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Number of Scottish coronavirus cases rises to 11". BBC News. 6 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus LIVE: 23 cases confirmed in Scotland". The National. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Timeline of Scottish Epidemic". 9 May 2020. Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "First Scottish coronavirus death confirmed". BBC News. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Number of Scottish coronavirus cases rises to 171". BBC News. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Businesses told to close". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ Sparrow, Andrew; Campbell, Lucy; Rawlinson, Kevin; Weale, Sally; Sparrow, Andrew; O'Carroll, Lisa; Smithers, Rebecca (23 March 2020). "Guardian's live archived timeline of the national address (23/3/20)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland". gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's speech 25 March 2020". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ↑ "Six more coronavirus deaths announced in Scotland". BBC News. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Covid-19 confirmed in Western Isles and Orkney". BBC News. 31 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- ↑ "NHS Louisa Jordan begins construction". BBC News. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scot briefing on testing". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Calderwood resigns over coronavirus lockdown trips". BBC News. 6 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ↑ "Announcement of thousands of NHS workers". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scot Briefing". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "NHS Louisa Jordan opens". BBC News. 20 April 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "New article on NRS data". BBC News. 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland - PM back & hospital cases stable - BBC News". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ↑ "Scottish government suggests covering face in shops". BBC News. 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ↑ "Testing Capacity reaches 3,500". Scottish Government. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ↑ Marlborough, Conor (8 May 2020). "Nicola Sturgeon: Lockdown update on outdoor exercise this weekend". Edinburgh Evening News. edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland". gov.scot. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon updates Lockdown restrictions". Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon National Address". Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ↑ "Children 5 and over eligible to be tested". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ↑ "Anosmia added to COVID-19 symptom list". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scotland plans on easing Lockdown". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scottish lockdown easing to begin next week". BBC News. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scottish schools to reopen in August". BBC News. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Scottish lockdown easing to begin on Friday". BBC News. 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland's route map - what you can and cannot do". gov.scot. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Lockdown easing and face mask rules announced in Scotland". BBC. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- ↑ "Guide to re-opening and scaling up over the rest of Phase 2 and early Phase 3". gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Scotland's five-mile travel limit lifted". BBC. 3 July 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2: staying safe and protecting others (physical distancing) - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Scotland retains quarantine measures for Spanish travel". BBC News. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Indoor visits and overnight stays to be allowed in Scotland". BBC News. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ↑ Johnson, Simon (4 February 2021). "500,000 fewer Scots 'would have been vaccinated under EU scheme backed by SNP'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "High school pupils in Scotland to wear face coverings from 31 August". BBC News. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ↑ Flockhart, Gary (11 September 2020). "Protect Scotland: New contact tracing app downloaded half a million times". The Scotsman. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ↑ "Test & Protect". Protect Scotland. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ↑ "UK coronavirus cases up by 6,178 on Wednesday". BBC News. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ↑ "Students told to isolate after 124 test positive". BBC News. 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ↑ "SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended after knowingly travelling on 4 hour train journey with virus". The Herald. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ↑ Weaver, Matthew; Brooks, Libby (1 October 2020). "SNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended for taking train after positive Covid test". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ↑ "MP Margaret Ferrier's Covid Parliament trip 'indefensible'". BBC News. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon to meet advisers over further restrictions". BBC News. 5 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ↑ "Covid-19: Nicola Sturgeon unveils Scotland's restriction levels". BBC News. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ "Covid restrictions: How will Scotland's five-level system work?". BBC News. 27 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ "Senior school pupils told to wear face masks in classrooms". STV News. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ "New face mask rules and guidance for school pupils and parents begin today as level system begins". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Senior pupils to wear masks in class at level 3 and 4". BBC News. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ↑ Hutcheon, Paul (9 November 2020). "UK and Scottish Governments should work closer together on covid, poll finds". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "Scottish General Election Coronavirus Bill". betaproxy1.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: First vaccine delivery due next month". BBC News. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Vaccination statement". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Level 4 lockdown to be imposed in 11 council areas". BBC News. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ Reporters, Telegraph (19 December 2020). "Scotland lockdown: what are the new Covid rules and Tier 4 restrictions?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ↑ "Covid: Lockdown looms as Scotland tightens Christmas rules". BBC News. 19 December 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ↑ Gillespie, Tom (23 December 2020). "COVID-19: Nicola Sturgeon apologises for breaking coronavirus rules at funeral wake". Sky News. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ Brooks, Libby (23 December 2020). "'No excuses': Nicola Sturgeon apologises for breaching Covid rules". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "Lockdown travelling and exercising laws in lockdown in Scotland". Daily Record. 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: One million people receive vaccine". CBC News. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
Our aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible with both their first and second doses as quickly as possible, but the speed at which we can do this depends on supply and we expect a dip in supplies UK-wide towards the end of this month.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Inadequate preparations for Covid, says watchdog". BBC News. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "Scottish government inadequately prepared for Covid – watchdog". the Guardian. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon unveils 'cautious' route out of lockdown". BBC. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ↑ Davidson, Peter (21 April 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon and Douglas Ross clash during fiery debate on Scotland's vaccine programme". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Bol, David (21 April 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon insists independent Scotland would have procured vaccine UK-wide". The Herald. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Andrews, Kieran (19 June 2021). "Covid in Scotland: Scots banned from travelling to Manchester because of coronavirus surge". The Times. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ↑ "Andy Burnham's anger at Manchester-Scotland travel ban". BBC. 20 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ↑ Maishman, Elsa (4 July 2021). "Covid Scotland: 'Shock and concern' as half of Europe's top ten Covid hotspots in Scotland". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ↑ Boothman, John (4 July 2021). "SNP 'in disarray' as WHO says Scotland has six in ten European Covid hotspots". The Times. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ↑ Taylor, Brian (10 July 2021). "Covid: Sturgeon may rule Scotland but she can't escape the pull of Johnson and the English media, by Brian Taylor". The Herald. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Johnson, Simon (7 July 2021). "SNP accused of being 'missing in action' amid Covid surge in Scotland". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Andrews, Kieran (8 July 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf 'were working' on holidays". The Times. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Pooran, Neil (7 July 2021). "Health Secretary Humza Yousaf defends taking holiday as Covid cases rocket". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ "Scottish public spending deficit doubles to £36bn". BBC News. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ↑ "Kate Forbes says record £36bn deficit 'not an obstacle' to independence". 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ↑ "Independent Scotland would need to 'raise taxes or cut spending'". 18 August 2021.
- ↑ "Archived copy". The Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon accused of cover-up over Scotland's first major Covid outbreak". Telegraph.co.uk. 10 October 2021. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ↑ "Scots urged to limit socialising to three households". BBC News. BBC. BBC. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ↑ "Row over Nicola Sturgeon's response to journalist during Covid briefing". The National.
- ↑ "Sturgeon 'set to recall MSPs' to discuss new Covid restrictions before New Year". HeraldScotland.
- ↑ "Scottish Parliament to be recalled for Covid update during festive recess". The National.
- ↑ "MSPs to be recalled to Holyrood over Christmas recess to consider Covid response". HeraldScotland.
- ↑ "Covid-19: New rules in force for three UK nations". BBC News. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ↑ "Businesses allocated £107 million support". www.gov.scot.
- ↑ Walker, Peter A. (30 December 2021). "Scottish businesses allocated £107 million support". businessInsider.
- ↑ "Covid: Scottish self-isolation period cut to seven days". 5 January 2022 – via www.bbc.com.
- ↑ "Scotland to lift most remaining Covid restrictions". BBC News. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ↑ Carrel, Severin (16 February 2022). "Scotland to offer Covid jab to all children aged five to 11, says Sturgeon". The Guardian. p. 1. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ↑ "Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ↑ "Workplace advice contained in new coronavirus guidance". gov.scot. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ↑ "Mass events ban as coronavirus cases spike". BBC News. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Some schools close for coronavirus deep clean". BBC News. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "Schools in Scotland and Wales to close from Friday". BBC News. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ↑ "phsmethods: an R package for Public Health Scotland". NHS-R Community. 7 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ↑ Ross, Calum. "Coronavirus: Baptism of fire for Public Health Scotland". Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ↑ "National volunteering plan for coronavirus - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: Virus link to care home deaths". BBC News. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ↑ "Ready Scotland: Preparing for Emergencies". www.readyscotland.org. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ↑ "What are the rules on exercise?". BBC News. 6 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Letter by Scottish Government" (PDF). www.gov.scot. Scottish Governments. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework update". Scottish Government. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ McArdle, Helen (2 April 2020). "Helen McArdle: WHO says 'test, test, test' - so has the UK really dropped the ball in the fight against coronavirus?". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 "Temporary coronavirus hospital 'may not be needed'". BBC News. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ↑ Coronavirus: Scottish COVID-19 testing expanded to communities Archived 6 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine 15 March 2020 bbc.co.uk, accessed 8 April 2020
- ↑ McArdle, Helen. "Coronavirus: Scotland on track to hit 3,500-a-day testing goal by end of April - but peak could already be over". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ↑ "How England has been lagging behind on testing". BBC News. 8 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Aberdeen University provides three machines to NHS Grampian to speed up coronavirus testing". Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- 1 2 Johnson, Simon (2 April 2020). "Coronavirus mass testing a 'distraction' that will not slow spread, Scotland's chief medical officer says". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus testing facility to open at Glasgow Airport". 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Row over testing could distract from real fight, says Calderwood". Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: As a health economist, I'm not convinced the case for mass testing stacks up". Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: Doubts over 'test, trace and isolate' approach | Scotland". The Times. 19 April 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.(subscription required)
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: Test that could end lockdown set to be available within weeks, says Harry Burns | Scotland". The Times. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland - Economic crisis & new police powers - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- 1 2 3 Macaskill, Mark; Allardyce, Jason; Boothman, John. "How inertia at Holyrood led to a PPE fiasco that risked Scottish lives". Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ↑ Covid-19: New 'mega labs' in early 2021 to speed up testing Archived 12 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine 16 November 2020 www.bbc.co.uk, accessed 16 November 2020
- ↑ Covid in Scotland: Construction of testing 'mega lab' halted Archived 2 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine 26 January 2021 www.bbc.co.uk, accessed 14 February 2021
- ↑ "Massive coronavirus testing lab due to open in Scotland is hit by delay as officials reveal they have yet to secure a building". www.sundaypost.com. 17 January 2021. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ↑ Jenkins, Ciaran (2 April 2020). "The race to trace: Has the UK abandoned coronavirus contact tracing?". Channel 4 News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Contact tracing no longer taking place as Scots told social distancing could be more important than testing in coronavirus fight". The Courier. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Johnston, John (27 April 2020). "Can islands 'snuff out' virus by contact tracing?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ "Scottish NHS to quadruple intensive care beds". BBC News. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Scotland's NHS using unique system to treat coronavirus patients". www.channel4.com/news. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "New NHS 24 arrangements for coronavirus - gov.scot". www.gov.scot/news. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus community hubs to open as COVID-19 spreads in Ayrshire". www.ardrossanherald.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Jeane Freeman: This is what we're doing to tackle coronavirus". www.thenational.scot. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "1000 ventilators in Scottish hospitals by summer". www.scotsman.com. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Anaesthetic machines boost ventilator capacity - gov.scot". Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ↑ "3,000 retired NHS staff volunteer to help treat coronavirus patients in Scotland". inews.co.uk. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: One in three intensive care patients struck down by Covid-19". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: 'We are nervous but we are ready'". BBC News. 27 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- 1 2 "Coronavirus in Scotland: spread was wider than predicted, research suggests | Scotland". The Times. 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.(subscription required)
- ↑ "Almost half of NHS staff absences Covid-19 related". BBC News. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "New safety guidance for health and care staff". BBC News. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Macaskill, John Boothman, Jason Allardyce and Mark. "How offers of PPE were 'ignored' by government as Scottish Covid-19 deaths soared". Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ↑ Scott, Louise (17 April 2020). "Whistleblower: Nurses forced to reuse and share single-use PPE". STV News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ Ross, Calum (9 July 2020). "Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon defends PPE record after we revealed pre-pandemic warnings". The Courier. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ↑ "Drug treatment for coronavirus starts UK trials". BBC News. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ↑ "COVID-19 Funding Call – Chief Scientist Office". www.cso.scot.nhs.uk. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland". www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ↑ University of Glasgow leads COVID-19 research response in Scotland Archived 1 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine gla.ac.uk, accessed 9 April 2020
- ↑ "Dundee scientists providing key research in the bid to assist global research in tackling Covid-19". Evening Telegraph. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus: Flock of Tayside sheep could defeat Covid-19 in Dundee University-led research". www.thecourier.co.uk. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "Universities of Glasgow and Dundee join fight against coronavirus pandemic". Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: Researchers explore impact of virus on body". Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- 1 2 "Spain's PM to ask for lockdown extension as deaths top 20,000 – as it happened | World news". The Guardian. 18 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ↑ Campbell, Glenn (8 April 2021). "Covid in Scotland: Government 'failed' social care sector during pandemic". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ↑ Crichton, Torcuil (8 April 2021). "SNP Health Minister admits coronavirus 'mistake' in transferring hospital patients to care homes". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ↑ Boothman, John; Macaskill, Mark (11 April 2021). "Ministers' Covid error 'turned care homes into morgues'". The Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ↑ Campbell, Glenn (18 April 2021). "Covid in Scotland: 'Mistake' to discharge Covid patients says Sturgeon". BBC. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ↑ "Coronavirus deaths double at care home". BBC News. 27 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ "Virus suspected as 13 care home residents die". BBC News. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Glasmacher, Stella A.; Larraz, Juan; Mehta, Arpan R.; Kearns, Patrick K. A.; Wong, Michael; Newton, Judith; Davenport, Richard; Gorrie, George; Morrison, Ian; Carod Artal, Javier; Chandran, Siddharthan (5 September 2020). "The immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motor neuron disease services and mortality in Scotland". Journal of Neurology. 268 (6): 2038–2040. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-10207-9. ISSN 1432-1459. PMC 7474506. PMID 32889618.
- ↑ "COVID-19 pandemic highlights need for reform of the medical legal system | Edinburgh Law School". www.law.ed.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ↑ Mehta, Arpan R; Szakmany, Tamás; Sorbie, Annie (19 November 2020). "The medicolegal landscape through the lens of COVID-19: time for reform". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 114 (2): 55–59. doi:10.1177/0141076820974988. ISSN 0141-0768. PMC 7876639. PMID 33211983. S2CID 227078678.
- 1 2 "Coronavirus in Scotland: Which Scottish events have been cancelled due to COVID-19?". The Herald. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ↑ "An Comunn Gàidhealach - Royal National Mod : Mod News". Ancomunn.co.uk. 7 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ↑ "Police fine 12 people after lockdown pub gathering". BBC News. 27 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ "Almost a quarter of prison staff absent from work". BBC News. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Glasgow cabbies express shock as several drivers 'very ill' with coronavirus". Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ↑ Roberts, Michelle (30 April 2020). "Will the rest of the UK follow Scotland on masks?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland - Public advised to cover faces". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ↑ "Scotland records 'worst ever' retail performance during coronavirus lockdown". Evening Express. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020 – via Press Association.
- ↑ Prior, Grant (6 April 2020). "Scottish sites ordered to close unless on essential list". Construction Enquirer. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ↑ Weinfass, Ian (17 April 2020). "Number of site closures up but value of suspended work falls". Construction News. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
External links
- NHS Scotland
- Scottish Government
- National Records of Scotland
- Public Health Scotland
- Health Protection Scotland
- Care Inspectorate
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Locations |
| ||||||||||
| Impact |
| ||||||||||
| Science and healthcare |
| ||||||||||
| Responses |
| ||||||||||
| Legislation |
| ||||||||||
| Timelines | |||||||||||
| Advisory bodies |
| ||||||||||
| Key people |
| ||||||||||
| Media depictions |
| ||||||||||
| See also |
| ||||||||||
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} COVID-19 portal | |||||||||||