Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Prof Jason Leitch says he does not accept that inactivity and a lack of testing is causing deaths.

He insists many elements of the responses have been good, with a few challenging areas. "Social care has been an ongoing challenge," he says.

Image source, Reuters

On testing, Prof Leitch explains the one currently available is only useful when a person is pre-symptomatic or in the early phase of symptoms. A different test will be required for population level testing as we come out of this which will allow contact tracing, he says.

John Beattie asks whether Scotland will ever be able to test everyone with symptoms.

I think that will be part of an ongoing plan, Prof Leitch replies. He suggests there will be a similar approach of test, trace and isolate as we come out of lockdown to prevent a second peak.

When will Scotland come out of lockdown? "I honestly don't know," says the national clinical director - but he suggests we will see the beginning of it in the next few weeks.

Image source, bbc

The foreign secretary starts by confirming the latest figures for the number of people who have tested positive, those who are currently in hospital and the number of deaths in hospitals (up 759 to 18,100).

He says his “heart goes out” to every bereaved family.

But he insists the government has been guided by the scientific advice at all times and insists that social distancing measures have helped save lives and protected the NHS.

He says these have been “tough times” for businesses, families and the vulnerable, describing it as an “economic, physical and mental strain” for the whole nation.

He says there is “no hiding from the tragedy” that the virus has wrought and says the UK is “not out of the woods yet”.

While he acknowledges there continues to be “challenges” in many areas, such as providing protective kit for NHS and care staff, he praises the way the nation has pulled together.

• total number of deaths in Scotland linked to coronavirus has risen to 1,616, with the confirmed number less at 1,062

• 651 deaths were registered between 13 and 19 April - up from 610 the previous week
• a third of the deaths were recorded in care homes

Image source, bbc

• over 9,000 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland, however over 1,800 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital
• the first minister says hospital and intensive care admissions are a 'source of optimism'
• there are ten coronavirus clinical studies taking place in Scotland with four more being set up

Read more here

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Travel operators and airlines are breaking the law by refusing to give customers full refunds for cancelled holidays, consumer rights magazine Which? has claimed.

Consumer rights expert Adam French tells Drivetime: "We have been hearing from thousands of people whose travel plans are in tatters because of the current coronavirus pandemic."

Mr French says Which? has found that "the biggest travel operators and airlines in the UK are openly breaking the law by either delaying refunds or removing the customers' refund rights altogether".

Customers are being offered re-booking for a later date or a credit note when, legally, they are allowed a full refund under European Union laws that still apply to the UK.

He urges customers affected, if they are not happy with response of their travel agent, travel company, or insurance company, to seek help from their bank if they paid by debit or credit card.

Image source, bbc

A reminder that the UK government’s daily coronavirus briefing is underway.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Boris Johnson while the PM continues to convalesce, is leading the press conference.

He is joined by Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer and General Sir Nick Carter, the chief of the defence staff. This is the first time the UK’s most senior military officer has appeared.

Mr Raab and Prof Whitty are giving an update on the current situation and the panel will take questions from selected journalists.

We are also expecting to hear from Sir Nick about the role of the armed forces in the UK's response.

You can get live updates here.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland's National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch will be back on the BBC airwaves shortly, answering questions on BBC Radio Scotland.

Text your questions to Drivetime on 80295.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SPL

Becky McLean has not been able to visit her gran Margaret in her care home since 16 March. Margaret has dementia and Becky is concerned about how the lack of routine will impact her.

"There's no face-to-face contact with myself or other members of the family. She has that feeling of being abandoned," Becky says.

Margaret is unable to answer calls and, though Becky has been writing regularly, she does not always open her post.

There have been cases of Covid-19 in the care home, so Margaret is self-isolating in her room - and Becky is worried a lack of stimulation will exacerbate her dementia.

She says she is worried her gran "may reject us or could have forgotten us" when the family are able to visit again.

Scottish indie band Belle & Sebastian have released a new song featuring lyrics submitted by fans about their thoughts and feelings during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Protecting The Hive is the first of a series planned by the band and is narrated by singer Stuart Murdoch, who also hosts a live meditation session every week via their Facebook page, and friend Alessandra Lupo.

The accompanying video is an aerial view of a deserted Glasgow shot by Kenny MacLeod.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Paul Sokhi, MD of Morrison Community Care Group, describes the lack of testing in care homes as creating a "lottery" on whether they will be hit by the virus.

He says: "We are able to access testing for a staff member if they show symptoms or someone in their household shows symptoms. Outwith that, we're not able to test any of our staff.

"With this virus, it's not showing symptoms in some people or taking up to three days with others to show symptoms. That's not really a great testing system to have for those working with our most vulnerable in society."

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Sokhi also said his care home took its first delivery of PPE today which seems "too little too late".

He says his business has bought some of its own PPE, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover the costs as staffing costs are going up as reliance on agency staff increases. He also highlights care homes are having to pay VAT in PPE.

Coronavirus has plunged the world into uncertainty and the constant news about the pandemic can feel relentless. All of this is taking its toll on people's mental health.

The Scottish government's 'Clear Your Head' campaign is to help people cope during the pandemic.

The campaign will share practical advice and steps that people can take to look after their mental health and wellbeing.

So where else can you go for support?

NHS Inform, external: As well as providing the most up to date guidance on physical health during the pandemic, the website also has a range of tools to support wellbeing - including guides to coping with depression and anxiety.

SAMH, external: Tips on protecting your mental health at this difficult time, including a blog series.

There are also a number of helplines available over the phone if you need someone to talk to...

• Breathing Space, external: A weekend and night-time service run by NHS 24:0800 83 85 87.
• Age Scotland, external: An advice and support line specifically for older people:0800 12 44 222.
• NSPCC Scotland, external: A support line for children and young people:0800 1111.
• Samaritans, external: A 24/7 service for crisis support:116 123.

Care homes

• Over one third of care homes (384) in Scotland are currently dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19.
• 308 care homes are dealing with more than one suspected case.
• Care homes have reported 2,085 cumulative cases of suspected Covid-19.
• the number of deaths linked to the virus in care homes has more than doubled in a week, from 237 to 537.

Image source, Getty Images

Hospitals

• Today there are 1,776 patients being treated in hospital with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
• 155 of them are in intensive care.
• These numbers are down from yesterday and, more importantly, are part of an overall downward trajectory.

Lots of new statistics on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting Scotland have been published today. So, what do they reveal?

Deaths

• The total number of deaths in Scotland linked to coronavirus (suspected and confirmed) is 1,616.
• 1,062 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have subsequently died. This figure is smaller because it does not include deaths where the virus is merely suspected.
• The majority of deaths are occurring in hospitals (56%).
• But a third of deaths are happening in care homes.

Positive cases

• 9,038 have tested positive for coronavirus.
• But 1,813 people who had tested positive have been discharged from hospital.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Here's what's on Radio Scotland's Drivetime with John Beattie today:

• Coronavirus deaths in Scotland have jumped to more than 1,600 - 33% in care homes and over three quarters over 75 years old
• We now know that almost half of all care homes - 46% - have reported at least one suspected case of Covid-19
• So just how safe are they? Do get in touch on 80295
• The programme will speak to a care home owner, the union which represents care workers and to one woman worried about her 88 year old granny
• Human trials for a vaccine are about to begin in Oxford - John has been speaking to one volunteer
• What are your chances of dying from coronavirus? This sounds pretty morbid but we'll hear from the professor who's worked it out.
• And retailers have recorded their lowest sales since records began - the programme will hear from two shop owners having very different experiences

Paul O'Hare
BBC Scotland News

A number of residents have died from suspected Covid-19 at care homes in central Scotland and Angus.

HC One declined to comment on the number of deaths at Kinnaird Manor in Camelon.

A number of employees are also self-isolating but the operators said they can draw on additional support, if required, from its regional team, sister homes or agency staff.

HC One also confirmed the home has a "plentiful supply" of PPE.

Image source, Getty

Meanwhile, an undisclosed number of deaths have also been reported at Lochbank Manor in Forfar, which is operated by the Kennedy Care Group.

The Care Inspectorate confirmed multiple deaths at both homes.

Earlier new figures revealed the number of deaths linked to the virus in care homes has more than doubled in a week, from 237 to 537.

Deaths in the sector now account for a third of the national total.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has called for a move to a universal basic income system, becoming the first MP to ask a virtual question at PMQs.

Mr Blackford said that more than a month after the Chancellor announced plans for financial support, many people were still struggling.

Dominc Raab dismissed the idea, saying the government's financial aid package was second to none.

Mr Raab also insisted that the UK government would meet its target of carrying out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month.

The foreign secretary, standing in for Boris Johnson who is still recovering from the virus, was challenged on the issue by the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Tory MP David Mundell was unable to connect remotely, thus missing out on asking the inaugural virtual question.

• Review: Virtual PMQs sort of worked
• Dominic Raab vows to hit 100k test target in eight days

Image source, Neil Hanna

A one-off winter festival could be held in southern Scotland to support economic regeneration in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The idea has been floated by the creative sector organisation Dumfries and Galloway Unlimited.

It is examining the feasibility of pulling together a programme under the title Resurgence.

Dumfries and Galloway Council said that with none of the major spring and summer events going ahead organising teams were facing a battle for survival and needed to be supported.