First Minister admits the 'worst is still to come' with Covid-19 as chief medical officer replaced
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed there is “worse still to come” before Scotland turns the corner and defeats Covid-19.
She warned that the trend over the past 10 days is of a "rapid increase" in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Ms Stugeon also presented Dr Gregor Smith who will succeed Dr Catherine Calderwood as chief medical officer (CMO).
Dr Calderwood resigned yesterday after becoming embroiled in a scandal that threatened to derail Scottish Government efforts persuading people to stay inside and not travel to second homes – something she did twice.
Ms Sturgeon also revealed that the current absence rate of NHS staff due to Covid-19 is six per cent while the testing capacity has quadrupled with 5000 NHS workers and their families having now been tested.
She defended the government’s record as it has issued more than six million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to care homes with Health Protection Scotland maintaining a close watch on distribution.
The First Minister started her daily briefing by wishing Prime Minister Boris Johnson well after he was admitted to hospital for persistent Covid-19 symptoms as a precaution noting that the infection does not “discriminate.”
Ms Sturgeon said: “We expect these figures will confirm the trend that we have seen over the past 10 days or so of a rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Scotland and also sadly the number of deaths and unfortunately there is almost certainly worse still to come as we turn the corner of this virus.
“Following Catherine Calderwood's resignation last night Dr Gregor Smith has agreed to act as interim chief medical officer for the foreseeable future. It is fair to say that this has been a difficult 24 hours in Scotland.
“I know this is an issue that has been raised by many, just under six per cent of NHS Scotland staff are absent from work as a result of this virus and we continue to prioritise delivery of personal and protective equipment not simply to hospitals but also to care homes and to carers.
“As I have mentioned previously, more than six million pieces or personal protective equipment have been delivered to more than 1000 care homes and other locations across the country.
“More broadly we are in close contact with the care inspectorate to understand how Covid-19 is affecting the delivery of care across Scotland, we have also set up a dedicated contact point for frontline professionals to raise any concerns they might have about the availability of PPE.”
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