Thread by @theSNP

📺 Watch @JeaneF1MSP's live press briefing on the latest updates on COVID and Scotland's vaccination programme.

https://twitter.com/scotgov/status/1366361442098827264

📣 Health Secretary @JeaneF1MSP: "The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 386.

That represents 4.5% of the total number of tests, and takes the total number of confirmed tests in Scotland to 202,470."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "824 people are currently in hospital, 13 less than yesterday.

71 people are in intensive care, that's a decrease of 7 from yesterday."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of patients who first tested positive over the past 28 days - but as you know, we often report a lower number of deaths on a Monday due to registration offices usually being closed on a weekend."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "Since I spoke at Friday’s briefing, a total of 20 deaths have been registered. That takes the total number of deaths registered to 7,131.

Once again I want to send my condolences to all those who have lost a loved one."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "A network issue prevents me giving you confirmation of the position as of 08.30 this morning on vaccinations - however, those confirmed figures will be published by Public Health Scotland at 2pm today on their COVID dashboard."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "I can give you the figures from yesterday, which were: a total of 1,593,695 had received their first dose, and 76,512 their second dose.

These numbers will have obviously increased by today."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "We've already given a first dose to virtually all care home residents, all over-70s, and all health and care workers."

As of yesterday:

💉 95% of 65-69 year olds got the first dose
💉 32% of 60-64 year olds
💉 27% of 55-59 year olds
💉 22% of 50-54 year olds

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "Supplies permitting, we continue to expect to be able to offer a first dose to all over 50 year olds, to all unpaid carers, and to all adults with an underlying health condition by the middle of April."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "I also want to update you on the three cases that were identified in Scotland yesterday, of people who have contracted one of the new variants of the virus, sometimes known as the Brazilian variant of concern, or P1."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "The three individuals concerned had travelled from Brazil to Scotland via Paris and London.

They self-isolated on their arrival in Scotland, and when they tested positive for Covid, they all stayed in isolation for a further 10 days."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "Because they arrived from Brazil, a designated high-risk country, their test results were selected for genomic sequencing.

As a precautionary measure, Test and Protect teams are now identifying all possible contacts of these cases, and the contacts of contacts."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "We are also contacting other passengers on the BA1312 flight, on Friday 29 January, that the individuals took from Heathrow to Aberdeen.

If you were on that flight and have not yet been contacted, you will be contacted shortly so please wait for that."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "I want to stress that there is currently no reason to believe that this variant is circulating in Scotland - however we're doing everything necessary to identify and break any possible chains of transmission."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "These three cases remind us once again how careful we need to be in guarding against new variants.

That is why the Scottish Government has put in place such strong travel restrictions."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "The final point I want to reflect on is that exactly one year ago today, the first case of COVID was identified in Scotland.

During the last 12 months, our lives have been turned upside down in ways which have been absolutely unimaginable at the start of 2020."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "For thousands of families who have lost loved ones to this virus, the last 12 months have brought grief and heartbreak.

Many people have been anxious about their own health, their loved ones' health, and economic hardship due to redundancy or furlough."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "The Scottish Government is currently talking to health charities and family organisations about how we should commemorate the pandemic - marking the loss of life, and the sacrifices people have made.

We will say more about that in the coming days."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "For the moment, it's impossible to adequately express how grateful I am for everything that people across Scotland have done and endured during the last 12 months - and for the tireless, unrelenting work of our health and social care staff and key workers."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "Your sacrifices have made a difference, and they have undoubtedly saved lives.

At the moment, through those sacrifices, you are helping to reduce the number of people who are getting COVID and falling seriously ill from it."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "The success of our vaccine programme means that after 12 long months, an end to the pandemic may now be in sight.

But for the moment, as today’s news reminds us, we do still need to be careful. And we do still need to stick to the current rules and guidance."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "The most important rule for now remains the same. Please stay at home.

In any level 4 area, including all of mainland Scotland, you must only leave the house for essential purposes and you cannot meet up with other households indoors."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "If you meet up with someone outdoors, you can only meet with one other person from one other household.

You must work from home if you possibly can – and employers have a legal duty to support people to work from home."

📣 @JeaneF1MSP: "When we do have to go out, we should continue to remember FACTS."

🇫Face coverings in enclosed spaces
🇦Avoid crowded places
🇨Clean hands and surfaces regularly
🇹Two metre distancing
🇸Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms