Image source, SPTV

SNP MSP Emma Harper asks how critical care is being ramped up.

“The trick is, if you like, to suppress the number of cases to just under the maximum capacity of NHS care,” Ms Freeman says.

She and Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey are looking at what can be done to ensure the mental wellbeing of staff, who will be facing more pressure over a prolonged period.

Ms Freeman says the government is attempting to “max out” the equipment we have even if we never need it.

The committee wraps up with the convener confirming that a report will be published in the legislation ahead of MSPs debating it this afternoon.

The health secretary says a quick test of antibodies, which will be able to tell people if they have had the virus and recovered from it, is being worked on.

How are governments calculating estimates of positive coronavirus cases?

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says for each person in intensive care, modelling multiplies that by 100.

There are currently 25 people in intensive care who have tested positive for Covid-19, so this leads to an estimate of 2,500.

This is probably an underestimate, but until surveillance data is available those are the numbers we are using, she adds.

Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said yesterday that each of the 14 deaths probably represented up to 1,000 infected people.

Image source, SPTV

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks whether PPE (personal protective equipment) is being made available to police officers and where people will be placed if they are arrested for flouting lockdown rules.

Ms Freeman says police will ensure processes prevent further infection since that is the point of the new powers. She confirms that a person arrested during the lockdown will have a criminal record under the legislation brought forward.

She adds that police officers and fire service staff have PPE when engaging with a variety of situations anyway.

A number of callers got in touch with the Kaye Adams programme to ask if they could go out in their cars for a drive.

Their argument was that it provides a change of scene and a calming distraction.

Dr Alan Maryon-Davis told listeners it would be against the new rules because it was not essential travel.

He said that from a public health point of view people who stayed in cars were not a problem. “The problem arises if you get out of the car,” he said.

But he stressed that it was not allowed under the new rules.

The government has passed all stages of their 329-page emergency bill, external through the House of Commons.

It's up for debate in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, so here's some of the key measures:

• the power to restrict events and shut down premises such as pubs
• powers to isolate or detain individuals who are judged to be a risk to containing the spread of Covid-19
• facilitate the return of retired nurses, midwives, paramedics and social workers
• relaxing rules around detention under mental health laws
• increasing the use of audio and video links in courts
• officials will have the power to close the borders
• the bill will allow employers to reclaim statutory sick pay funds from HMRC to help with the burden of increased staff absence
• organisations could be required to provide space or resources for the storage or management of dead bodies

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton warns the most anxiety-inducing part of the emergency legislation is in terms of mental health provisions.

The bill relaxes rules around detention under mental health laws and increasing the use of audio and video links in courts.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says there are some pretty sweeping changes here.

Ms Freeman explains that the temporary suspending of the mandatory review of Compulsory Treatment Orders will take place, but the general duty to review remains.

She says the mental health minister is very keen that any changes will be the subject of some discussion by MSPs to retain people's rights.

The health secretary says home carers will be trained in how to avoid spreading the virus, but that is not covered in this legislation.

Ms Freeman adds that social work students will be allowed to register and retired social workers will be returning to work.

She says this legislation will bring in statutory sick pay from day one.

Ms Freeman confirms the emergency legislation will be debated and voted on at Westminster every six months to ensure parliament was "content with its continuation".

In terms of devolved powers it will be for Scottish ministers to decide how long they will be used for and when they will be rescinded, she adds.

Image source, Scottish Parliament TV

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says she will have the exact number of retired medical professionals who are returning to work on the frontline of the NHS this afternoon and will share them in her statement in the chamber.

In the first 24 hours of asking people, there were 400 individuals coming forward expressing a desire to return to the workforce, Ms Freeman adds.

She explains that NHS Education for Scotland will become the contracted employer for those people and they will undertake a simple registration and allocation process.

A website will be created this week to process those who have already come forward, says the health secretary.

That is also for nursing and midwifery students and medical students who are in their last six months of their degree and the experience they gain will go towards that degree.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is giving evidence on the 329-page emergency bill, external which passed through the House of Commons last night.

The legislative consent motion for the extraordinary legislation will be debated in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

Ms Freeman is asked by the committee convener about the return of retired medical professionals to the NHS.

The bill gives the government wide-ranging powers, unlike any other recent legislation.

• Click here to find out what's in the emergency Coronavirus legislation.
• Watch the evidence session with Parliament TV here., external

Image source, bbc

The Health and Sport Committee is taking evidence from Health Secretary Jeane Freeman on the Covid-19 emergency.

Watch the evidence session here., external

For the first time, UK mobile networks send out a government message with a link to more information.

Scottish Golf has asked participants to "refrain from golfing until further notice", following the latest government measures on coronavirus.

People are being urged to avoid going out as much as possible.

Golf bodies had previously offered practical advice for play to continue, including keeping two metres apart.

Read more here.

Image source, SNS

Lisa Summers
BBC Scotland Health Correspondent

I have been going to Nicola Sturgeon's briefings for the past week and I was there last night and I think what was most striking to me was the change in language and tone.

Also looking at the faces of the first minister and the chief medical officer you could clearly see the gravity of the situation we are in now.

That is why the restrictions that have been imposed are necessary.

This is the kind of lockdown many had predicted - a set of stringent strong restrictions which say you should only go outside if you need to get essential supplies.