Covid in Scotland: Medical chief says rising cases not a worry

Rising cases of Covid in Scotland are not a cause for panic, the country's national clinical director has said.

Latest figures show 10,000 new positive tests and a slight rise in hospital patients who have been confirmed with the virus.

Jason Leitch's message not to worry comes as the spring booster programme for some sections of society begins.

He said: "People shouldn't panic, but this disease is not over, and it is not done with us."

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Leitch said that higher case numbers were "inevitable as we go about our business".

He added: "You should still be cautious, particularly around those who are vulnerable. So get your vaccine, particularly if you are getting a letter now if you are in one of those elderly groups or vulnerable groups."

• Scotland offers Covid jabs to children aged 5-11

• Spring Covid booster for over-75s and high risk

Booster jabs will be given to older care home residents, over 75-year-olds and people over the age of 12 with suppressed immune systems.

Letters will also be sent to parents of five to 11-year-old children offering them a first dose of the vaccine.

The rollout follows the latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

A fourth jab will be offered to people who had their previous dose of vaccine at least 24 weeks earlier.

Many of the oldest adults will have received their most recent dose in September or October last year, and there is evidence that immunity levels decrease over time.

Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf encouraged everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to take up the offer.

He said: "We know that those in high-priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19, and I therefore welcome the start of the rollout which will offer a further dose to these people.

"Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered wanes over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed to maintain the best protection against COVID-19 for those at highest risk of severe effects of the virus.

"The additional booster dose will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you."

Take-up of the vaccine has been high in the oldest age groups

While Covid restrictions have eased significantly in recent weeks, case numbers have flatlined or even increased slightly.

The most recent ONS sampling indicated that about one in 19 Scots- about 280,000 individuals - had Covid, which was the second highest level since the start of the pandemic. The highest peak was in early January.

Many of the cases involve the Omicron BA.2 subvariant, which is more transmissible than the original BA.1 - although it does not seem to cause more severe illness. The latest ONS data suggests both BA.1 and BA.2 cases are rising.

• What we know about the new Omicron variant

The number of patients in hospital with Covid has also been rising since mid-February, although only a relatively small number of them have required ICU treatment.

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