Covid in Scotland: 1,297 new cases & 7 additional deaths

1. 1,297 new positive cases in the last 24 hours are recorded along with seven additional deaths
2. A further 40 patients with Covid have been admitted to hospital, taking the latest total to 527 and 35 patients are in ICU, which is one fewer than yesterday
3. Nicola Sturgeon insists the virus is not out of control in Scotland, despite the rising daily positive numbers
4. Scotland's unemployment rate steadied at 4.5% over the summer, but that does not reflect the full impact of Covid-19 on the economy, says the Scottish government
5. A three-tier alert system will be established for Scotland but will not come in until Holyrood approves it later this month

Covid-19 in Scotland: The headlines

Here are the headlines from today's briefing and around the country:

• Nearly 1,300 people test positive with Covid-19 in 24 hours
• Seven more people have died with the virus in Scotland
• A total of 527 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 40), with 35 being treated in intensive care
• A self-isolation support grant of £500 is to be open to eligible people who have been self isolating since 28 September
• The UK government's scientific advisers called for a short lockdown in England to halt the spread of Covid-19 last month, newly released documents show
• The first minister stresses the Scottish government's actions are all rooted firmly in scientific advice with a balance having to be struck

• Scotland's unemployment rate remained at 4.5% over the summer, with 124,000 people seeking work
• A care home owner has criticised plans to relax visiting rules as "premature" and "ill thought out"

• Car-sharing has been a factor in the spread of Covid-19 during an outbreak in the Western Isles
• Fewer than a million passengers travelled through Edinburgh Airport in the past six months - down 91% on the previous year

• The deputy leader of Scottish Labour calls for the Scottish government to 'ramp up the number of tests'

That's all from us here on the live page. Please take care and stay safe.

WATCH AGAIN: The virus is at a 'critical tipping point'

Sturgeon says Dr Gregor Smith doing 'fantastic job'

BBC

Gregor Smith is Scotland's interim chief medical officer

Tom Martin from the Daily Express points out that it is more than six months since Catherine Calderwood resigned as Scotland's chief medical officer after she broke lockdown rules.

He asks about when her permanent successor will be appointed. The job is being carried out on an interim basis by Dr Gregor Smith.

Ms Sturgeon, who was standing next to Dr Smith, says the recruitment process is under way and will "take its course". She went on to praise the acting medical chief.

Let me just say right now that Gregor Smith as acting CMO is doing a fantastic job - he is a source of incredibly important and valuable advice to me as he is to the country, But given that the process is under way I will leave it there."

Nicola SturgeonFirst Minister

Good overall compliance reported on hospitality lockdown

Scotland’s central belt councils are reporting good overall compliance with new restrictions on the hospitality trade in place since Friday.

Glasgow City Council has visited more than 1,000 premises since Friday and found 20 restaurants which claim they are cafes.

A total of 13 were asked to stop serving sit-in meals and a further seven are under further investigation.

In West Lothian, three restaurants operating as cafes were identified.

In Edinburgh, council officers had to ask a pub to close after it opened its doors despite the temporary lockdown.

Getty Images

'We need to ramp up the number of tests' - Baillie

The deputy leader of Scottish Labour says losing your job can be just as dangerous as catching Covid-19 and calls for more scientific evidence to show the right balance is being struck.

The testing and tracing capacity must be looked at, as only half the testing capacity is being used, says Jackie Baillie

"We need to ramp up the number of tests that are being taken."

She adds the number of contact tracers is only half the number promised by the Scottish government, with the contact follow-up rate dropping by 30%.

Ms Baillie points out Scottish Labour has argued long and hard for more safe visiting of patients in care homes and she says the new rules only apply outwith the central belt.

Deputy leader of Scottish Labour says Covid-19 statistics 'very concerning'

BBC

Jackie Baillie says the scale and spread of the virus is "very concerning", with increases in the positivity rate and in people now in hospital.

The deputy leader of Scottish Labour argues the first minister talked about having an elimination strategy in the summer which was clearly premature.

She says the talk of a four nation approach now shows we "are in this for the long haul and this is likely to be the nature of things to come until a vaccine is place".

Ms Baillie stresses the importance of the Scottish government consulting with business and local communities about the strategic approach and scientific evidence.

She points out there is a lot of confusion for example about whether the 10pm and 6pm curfews will work.

WATCH AGAIN: 'We are at a very perilous point'

Covid cases at “tipping point” warns expert

Public health expert Dr Andrew Lee said even tougher measures need to be considered to stop the spike in cases.

Dr Lee, from the University of Sheffield, said the latest data in Scotland was “very much in keeping with trends in the north of England”.

But he added the whole of the UK was now at a dangerous “tipping point” in the outbreak and ministers might need to consider a “lockdown light” approach.

BBC

'There is no issue with testing capacity right now'

Getty

BBC Scotland's health correspondent Lisa Summers highlights the worrying increase in patients with coronavirus and outbreaks in hospital leading to ward closures and deaths.

Ms Summers asks why last week it appears guidance was given to health boards to stop routinely testing patients over 70 years old.

Is it because Test and Protect is stretched, she also asks.

The first minister insists: "There is no issue with testing capacity, right now."

She points out there have been challenges with processing capacity in recent weeks, with a bit of a concern in the last couple of days.

The decisions about who should be tested routinely in hospital are clinically driven, Ms Sturgeon adds.

The next iteration of the testing strategy is being considered now, the first minister says.

WATCH AGAIN: Time to get tough

'We are at a very perilous point in this journey'

Gordon Chree from STV says: "The virus is out of control isn't it?"

The first minister replies: "I don't think it's true to say it is out of control.

The government is working to break chains of transmission and slow it down, she tells Mr Chree.

"We are at a very perilous point in this journey," she adds.

The Scottish government has chosen to intervene early, Ms Sturgeon points out, adding the R number and doubling rates are not where she wants them to be.

However the case numbers per 100,000 are lower than some places elsewhere in the UK, she adds.

Self isolation support service launched

Shirley-Anne Somerville says a new support service to help vulnerable people asked to self-isolate has been launched.

The service, run by local councils, will target people deemed potentially at risk, such as the elderly.

The "local self-isolation assistance service" will see people asked if they need help with food shopping or getting medication.

Those taking part will also get regular calls to check on their welfare.

Support for those asked to self-isolate

£500 grant for low income workers self isolating

A new grant has been launched aimed at workers on low wages who are asked to self-isolate.

People on low incomes are able to apply for the £500 support grant which is being administered by the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said self isolation was "essential" to help tackle the virus but added: "We know being asked to stay at home for up to 14 days can be particularly difficult for those on low income."

The new grants are open to those eligible who have been self isolating since 28 September.

BBC

FM urges people to follow FACTS

The first minister calls on people to:

• continue working from home where they can
• stay out of other people's households - with limited exceptions
• hospitality businesses to close or restrict operations

Ms Sturgeon reiterates her call for people to follow FACTS:

Scottish government

'We have to strive to get those balances right'

The first minister says all governments have to strike the balance between vital public health restrictions and the wider wellbeing of individuals and the economy.

"We have to strive to get those balances right."

The UK government's scientific advisers called for a short lockdown in England to halt the spread of Covid-19 last month, newly released documents show.

Ms Sturgeon points out advisers advise but it is governments that have to decide.

The actions are rooted firmly in scientific advice she adds.

• Are we still listening to the science on Covid?

• The Scottish government will implement a three-tier framework of Covid-19 resrictions

FM on the latest unemployment statistics

Self-isolation over these next few months is going to be a really important way in which we can all show that sense of solidarity and help to break the chains of transmission."

Nicola SturgeonFirst Minister

Self-isolation support grant to be introduced

The first minister says the most important thing to do for the economy is keeping the virus under control.

Ms Sturgeon turns to the self-isolation support grant for people on low incomes asked to self-isolate.

The first minister points out all of us could be asked to self-isolate if we have symptoms, test positive or are a close contact of someone who does.

That means staying at home immediately and not going anywhere else for the recommended period, with no last visits to the shops or other preparations.

She highlights other support for those self isolating is available at the Ready Scotland website or phone [phone].

The first minister tells employers they should be supporting work at home and not pressurising anyone into work.

People should also be thinking about how best to manage if they are asked to self-isolate or to offer help to others.

Unemployment rate 'concerning' says Sturgeon

BBC

The first minister briefly turns to the labour market statistics.

Scotland's unemployment rate remained at 4.5% over the summer, with 124,000 people seeking work.

Ms Sturgeon highlights the anxiety many people feel about jobs and incomes and says the statistic is higher that it was last year at the same time.

She adds these figures are of course concerning but are undoubtedly lower than they would be without the support from UK and Scottish governments.

Ms Sturgeon reiterates that she believes the replacement for the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme shortly is not comprehensive enough.

She highlights the £40m for the hospitality sector announced with the tougher restrictions last week and reminds the briefing of the new Young Person's Guarantee and Transition Training Fund.