Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon says she may have to re-impose restrictions if positive cases continue to hit new highs

  • The latest daily case count is 4,323 which is a 14.5% positive rate. There are 364 people in hospital with Covid 19 (up eight) and 43 are in ICU. A further 10 deaths have been recorded

  • The first minister confirms that Scotland will conduct its own public inquiry into the pandemic and it will start before the end of the year

  • Ms Sturgeon says that half of new cases being recorded are in those under the age of 25

  • Scotland's Clinical Director Jason Leitch told the BBC cases were "startlingly high"

  • West Dunbartonshire and Dumfries and Galloway have the highest rate of positive tests

  • Almost 40% of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine

  1. Largest single day figure for new casespublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Covid testing signImage source, Getty Images

    Ms Sturgeon says there has been a "sharp rise" in cases with new cases more than doubling over the past week.

    She says it is one of the sharpest rises we have experienced at any point during the pandemic.

    New cases are now slightly higher than the very high levels we saw in early July, Ms Sturgeon says.

    "Today's figure is the largest recorded in a single day though it is worth remembering that we do more testing now than was the case in the early stages of the pandemic," she says.

  2. Covid public inquiry confirmedpublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms the establishment of a statutory public inquiry into the pandemic.

    She says process has now started and the inquiry will be established by the end of the year.

    It will take a "person-centred, human rights approach", she says.

    It will be a judge-led inquiry looking at all the areas that were within the "competence" of the Scottish government, including what happened in care homes.

    Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government will liaise with the UK government about their inquiry.

  3. Latest vaccinations statspublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    • 4.085,552 have now had a first dose of a vaccine
    • 3,587,145 have had a second dose
    • The FM highlights that 80% of over 18s have now been fully vaccinated.
  4. Ten more deaths as Covid cases rise againpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 24 August 2021
    Breaking

    The first minister begins her statement by announcing the Covid statistics for the past 24 hours:

    • 4,323 new cases reported
    • Of tests that reported results, 14.5% were positive
    • 10 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
    • 43 people were in intensive care, an increase of two
    • 364 people were in hospital, eight more than yesterday

  5. Not seeing school outbreaks, says Leitchpublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    schoolsImage source, Getty Images

    Prof Jason Leitch told Good Morning Scotland they had not yet seen any outbreaks of Covid connected to schools.

    He said most schools in Scotland only went back under a week ago so it is perhaps too early to tell.

    Scotland's national clinical director added; "We are not seeing massive numbers and we know how much education has been disrupted so we are very keen to get back to that."

  6. Leitch: We are concerned by rise in Covid casespublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Jason LeitchImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland's national clinical director Prof Jason Leitch told the BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme he and his colleagues were concerned that cases had doubled in the past week.

    He said: "It is principally young people but not only young people. A big percentage are under 40. That means the harm is not as significant but people are still harmed by this virus."

    Prof Leitch said there were only 350 people in hospital compared with more than 2,000 at the peak of the first wave.

    He said we can't be "complacent", which meant following the rules, getting vaccinated and getting tested.

  7. Families welcome Scottsh Covid inquirypublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    A statement on behalf of members of the Scottish branch of the UK group "Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice" welcomed the Scottish government's plans for a Covid inquiry.

    It says: "The families are grateful that the Scottish government has listened to their demands and an independent Scottish Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent handling of the Covid pandemic will now take place."

    It adds: "Today is the first important step in establishing accountability for 10,421 lives lost to Covid-19 in Scotland."

    It says the the core priority is to get the public inquiry up and running by the end of this calendar year.

  8. Scottish Covid inquiry plans announcedpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 24 August 2021
    Breaking

    Scots are being asked for their views on an independent inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Scottish government says it will be established by the end of the year to look at decisions and learn lessons for future pandemics.

    Particular consideration will be given to cases and deaths in care homes, the impact on education and the economy.

    The public are being encouraged to share their ideas and comments on email by the 30 September.

    Deputy First Minister John Swinney said discussions were also ongoing with the UK government on the planned four nations inquiry.

  9. First Minister's Covid Briefing to start at 12.15pmpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visits a vaccination centre on August 9, 2021,Image source, Getty Images

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith will hold a media briefing on Covid at 12.15pm.

    The briefing and analysis from invited guests will be shown on the BBC Scotland channel.

    The full stream of the briefing and questions from journalists can be accessed from the tabs above.