No change to Covid rules in Scotland as cases surge

Summary

Nicola Sturgeon says a further 15,849 positive cases have been recorded in Scotland, a new record "by some margin"
The first minister says the number of people in hospital with Covid has so far remained "broadly stable"
But she stresses the need to "exercise caution" and says that rising numbers of people in hospital in England may be "a sign of things to come"
There are now 679 people with coronavirus in hospital in Scotland - an increase of 80 since Tuesday
Ms Sturgeon says this is the biggest increase for some time, and that there is a time lag between rising cases and rising hospital admissions
The first minister says there will be no immediate changes to the current Covid rules or the advice being given to the public
The government hopes to reach a decision on isolation rules in the next week, with any changes taking effect from 5 January
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross calls for self-isolation times to be reduced from 10 days
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the testing system is showing signs of strain

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

Total 'would be even higher' if people had not followed advicepublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Quote Message
The current surge would almost certainly be even higher, but for so many people following advice to cut down on social interactions in the run up to Christmas. Given the speed and extent of transmission now, it is vital that we continue to take sensible precautions and limit social interactions for a further period, as we learn more about the likely impact of this wave of infection and complete the booster programme."
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister
Omicron accounts for about 80% of Scottish casespublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Omicron now accounts for around 80% of all cases, the first minister says, and over the past week the number of reported Covid cases overall has increased by 47%.
She adds: "We should also bear in mind that any transmission over recent days will not yet be fully evident in the reported figures.
"It is reasonable to assume therefore that we will continue to see steep increases in cases in the days and possibly weeks ahead."
The percentage of tests which were positive on Tuesday was 28.9%.
Three further deaths reportedpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Image source, PA Media
Ms Sturgeon says the daily case number is a new record "by some margin".
She adds 679 people were in hospital on Tuesday with recently-confirmed Covid and 36 people are in intensive care.
A further three deaths have been reported following a positive test.
No changes to Covid mitigations in Scotlandpublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
The first minister says there will be no "immediate" changes to Covid protections.
She says she will set out the data the Scottish government will be monitoring in the days ahead.
First Minister confirms record number of Covid casespublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Breaking
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon begins by confirming a record 15,849 Covid cases were recorded across Scotland on Tuesday.
The previous highest daily total - 11,030 - was registered on Boxing Day.
Coming up...published at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon is about to update MSPs on the Covid situation in Scotland.
Stick with us for all the latest developments, analysis and reaction.
'Don't travel to England for New Year parties'published at 13:51 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Ahead of the first minister's update, Scots have been urged not to travel to England for New Year celebrations to get around the more stringent Covid-19 restrictions north of the border.
There is no travel ban currently in place to stop people going to England, where nightclubs are still open.
But Deputy First Minister John Swinney said doing so would go against the "spirit" of Scottish Covid-19 measures.
He said travelling would be "the wrong course of action" due to the "serious situation" with the Omicron variant.
Read more here.
Are isolation rules sustainable?published at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
David Wallace Lockhart
BBC Scotland political reporter
Image source, Getty Images
This will be the first update Nicola Sturgeon has given MSPs since record Covid numbers were seen in Scotland.
New restrictions came in just after Christmas. It will take some time for any impact of these measures to feed through to case numbers.
With that in mind, ministers may be minded to stick with current restrictions, giving them time to (hopefully) do their work.
Where there’s less certainty is on self-isolation requirements. Opposition parties are calling for an easing of quarantine rules, which currently see anyone testing positive, and their household, isolating for 10 days. The system is less stringent in England.
The first minister signalled last week that she’d move to a “more proportionate system” when public health advisors give her the green light.
Keeping isolation rules as they are could put strain on public services, so it may well be time to look again at the balance between stemming transmissions and ensuring services are running.
What's the latest with Covid in Scotland?published at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
A lot has happened since the last update over a week ago. Here are the latest headlines:
- Covid daily cases hit record levels over Christmas with Boxing Day registering 11,030 confirmed new cases
- Christmas Eve had 7,076 new cases, Christmas Day had 8,252 and Monday saw 10,562 test positive. Tuesday's number was 9,360
- New measures limiting event numbers came into effect on 26 December - this effectively cancelled large Hogmanay events
- New hospitality rules came into effect on 27 December including 1m distancing, table service and separating groups
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Boxing Day shoppers were out in force as the highest daily case number since the start of the pandemic was registered
- England has not followed the other UK nations in bringing in restrictions despite record high infection rates
- The Scottish government has pushed its "get boosted by the bells" campaign and says it will meet its 80% target for vaccinating adults
- Members of the public reported waiting up to four days for a PCR test result in Scotland, which should normally take 24 hours
- Pharmacists are urging to government to sort the "patchy" supply of lateral flow tests
Welcomepublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the first minister's Covid update to the Scottish Parliament.
Today's statement, which is due to begin at 14:00, will be delivered virtually with MSPs dialling in remotely.
We'll bring you the full update and opposition responses as well as analysis and reaction.
You can watch events unfold using the tabs above.