Rising Covid cases in Dundee could see more restrictions

A hike in the number of coronavirus cases in Dundee could see it move into the same level of lockdown restrictions as the Central Belt, it was revealed today.

The V&A Dundee

In the seven days up to October 25, there were 405 positive cases in the NHS Tayside area, resulting in a positivity rate per 100,000 people of 97.

In contrast, the rate per 100,000 people was 327.8 in Lanarkshire, 244.4 in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 104.3 in Lothian, where tighter restrictions are in place than the rest of the country.

However, when asked about Tayside at the daily briefing, the First Minister said the government was looking at Dundee “closely”.

Nicola Sturgeon said the government was keeping a close eye on Covid cases in Dundee.

She said: “It's quite likely that significant parts of the Central Belt might stay in the level they’re in just now for a further period, but Dundee is one area where there is a question at the moment about whether it needs to go up a level. No decision has been taken yet. Lanarkshire is another part of the country where there are concerns. We’re looking at these things on a close basis every day.”

National clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, said: "Dundee city does concern us. NHS Tayside has 60 new cases today. It’s been around that level for a few days now, but they’re concentrated in Dundee city and as you expect in an urban setting, there's a higher risk than rural areas. So we do remain concerned about it.”

Ms Sturgeon said the most recent figures for Lanarkshire had led to a more optimistic view of how the virus was spreading in the area. “The latest advice I had today is that there may be a bit of optimism about the situation in Lanarkshire starting to stabilise,” she said.

Ms Sturgeon said there would be “no immediate change” in many areas of Scotland when the new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions begins next week, but that a “sustained” fall of virus transmissions would be needed for an area to move down tiers.

“The best way of moving to a lower level of restrictions and of living more freely is to have a lower level of transmission of the virus,” she said.

“The best way we have of driving transmission lower and keeping it low is for all of us to stick to the rules that are in place at any given time. And that, of course, is a collective responsibility for all of us.”

Asked about reports the UK Government is considering reducing the length of time those with the virus and their close contacts should isolate, she said: “We have no plans at the moment to reduce the period of self-isolation.

“We keep all of this under review. We don't want people to live under the most severe restrictions for longer than is absolutely necessary."

Prof Leitch said he was not aware of any scientific advice in any part of the UK that supports a reduction from the current 14-day period, or ten days from the date a person's symptoms end.

He said: "We have no plans with the present clinical advice to change that in any way. As far as I know, there is no clinical advice in the other three UK countries.”

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