Scots Coronavirus cases rising as R number hits 1.4

Coronavirus is on the rise again in Scotland as Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the `R' number – the number of Scots contracting the virus from an infected person – may now be as high as 1.4.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed cases are rising

It came as the first suspected cases of transmission in schools came to light, although national clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch insisted that this is not a major cause for concern.

The number of fresh cases of Covid-19 recorded fell to 101 today, but that comes against significant rises over the past week. There was also another new death from the virus recorded today, although this dates back to mid-August.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area are down to 53 after fresh lockdown measures were imposed in Glasgow and other parts of the west of Scotland.

But the latest weekly report on transmission rates makes it clear that the virus is rising again.

"We think that the R number increased last week and that it is probably now above one - perhaps as high as 1.4,” MS Sturgeon told the daily Coronavirus briefing today.

"I said recently that the R number is of slightly less concern when overall prevalence of the virus is low and overall prevalence of the virus is still low in Scotland right now.

"But nevertheless this is a further reminder that the virus is spreading again here , just like it is elsewhere in the UK, across Europe and indeed in the wider world.

"So it is reminder for us to take this seriously and do all the right things."

It came as health officials in Glasgow warned that evidence of coronavirus spreading in two high schools in the city has emerged. The board has not named the schools but said there was evidence of transmission of the virus "amongst a small number of cases".

But Professor Leitch said it was difficult to be clear about where positive cases have emerged from.

He said: "I have said I expect transmission to happen in schools. We've never said anything different."

He added: "It may be be that a few kids or a few teachers or a class at a time will have to be isolated. It's not impossible that a school would have to close, we hope that would be kept to an absolute minimum.

"I don't think it's such an important thing, and I don't mean to downplay it, that for the first time we have school transmission. That doesn't seem as important to me as finding each of the positive cases, finding out where the chains of transmission are and interrupting them."

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