Thread by @theSNP

📺 Watch First Minister @NicolaSturgeon's statement on the latest COVID updates in Scotland.

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@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Today, I will report on the continuing rise in Covid cases.

I will outline our approach to managing this phase of the pandemic.

As part of that, I will set out immediate changes to the requirements for self-isolation and testing."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "While we are not proposing any additional measures at this stage, I will confirm that existing protections and guidance will remain in place for the coming week, pending further review."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Finally, given that Omicron may not be the last new Covid variant we face, I will also signal some longer term work to consider the adaptations necessary to enable us to deal more proportionately and sustainably with any future phases of the pandemic."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "First though, today’s statistics.

16,103 positive cases were reported yesterday – that is 26.9% of all tests carried out.

1,223 people are in hospital with Covid - that is 71 more than yesterday, and 544 more than at this time last week."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "42 people are in intensive care - the same as yesterday.

Sadly, a further 5 deaths have been reported, taking the total number of deaths under the daily definition to 9,872.

Once again, I send my condolences to everyone mourning a loved one."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The surge of cases, driven by the extremely infectious Omicron variant, is continuing here in Scotland, across the UK, and in many other countries around the world.

Over the last week, the total number of new reported cases has increased by 87%."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Tomorrow’s figures will almost certainly see us pass 1 million reported cases since the start of the pandemic."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "However, the rapid and widespread transmission of Omicron is such that the daily recorded tally of cases - which has always been an underestimate of the true level of infection - now gives us an even less comprehensive indicator of how prevalent the virus is."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The weekly survey published by the Office of National Statistics gives a better indication - in the week to 23 December, it suggested that 1 in 40 people in Scotland had Covid."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The results of the most recent ONS survey – published just a few minutes ago – suggest that in the week to 31 December that had risen to 1 in 20."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The proportion of people with Covid is likely to be even higher than that now, a few days later - and I would anticipate that we will see continued growth in the level of infection as work and school resume after the holiday period."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "In short, Covid is significantly more widespread now than at any stage in the pandemic so far, and will almost certainly become even more so in days to come.

This, of course, has extremely serious implications for the NHS and social care."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "But it also has a severe and increasing impact on the economy and other critical services.

This is primarily due to very high numbers of people off work with Covid - but it is compounded by the wider requirements for self isolation."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "As I said last week, we have been considering very carefully the risks and benefits of changes to self isolation requirements and I will update on that shortly.

More generally, we are not proposing any new protective measures today."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "However, with the virus so prevalent, we do consider it important to continue to apply some brake on transmission, particularly in settings posing the highest risk."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "I can confirm that the restrictions on large gatherings, the requirement for distancing between groups in public indoor places and for table service in hospitality venues serving alcohol on the premises will remain in force for now and, I expect, until 17 January."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "In addition, while this is not a legal requirement, we are continuing to advise the public to limit contact with people in other households as far as possible - and to limit the number of households in any indoor gathering that does take place to a maximum of 3."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "After two long years of this pandemic, asking people to cut all social interaction is not feasible - and it would be damaging to mental health and wellbeing."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "However, limiting contacts insofar as we can, and thinking carefully about the interactions that matter most to us, is important just now.

It helps stem, to some extent, increases in transmission - and so has a collective benefit."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "But it also helps protect us as individuals.

When at least 1 in 20 of us have the virus - as is the case now - the risk of getting it when we mix with others is significant."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "So if we limit the occasions on which we do mix, we also reduce our own risk of catching a virus that we know could have a nasty impact on our health.

Trying to stem transmission - at least to some degree - is also important for the NHS which is under increasing pressure."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "On the upside, the evidence that Omicron causes less severe illness than previous variants - at least amongst under 60s, where the virus is most prevalent at the moment - does appear to be strengthening."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Indeed, the fact that the numbers in ICU are so far remaining stable while the numbers in hospital generally rises quite sharply, may be indicative of this."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "We also know, for certain, that a booster jag provides strong protection against serious illness for people of all ages."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "However, notwithstanding the success of the booster programme and the apparent lower rate of hospitalisation from Omicron, the sheer volume of people becoming infected means more people with Covid are being admitted to hospital."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "There is also remaining uncertainty about the impact on hospital admissions if Omicron continues to spread from younger age groups - where the risk of falling seriously ill from Covid has always been lower – to those in older age groups."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "As I reported last week, work is underway to better understand the detail behind the headline hospital numbers."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The first results from analysis to differentiate those who are in hospital because of Covid from those in hospital with Covid, but who were admitted for different reasons, will be published on Friday."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Work is also being done to assess whether the average length of hospital stay resulting from Omicron is any different to that associated with other variants."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Our understanding of the precise nature and extent of Omicron’s impact on hospitals and the wider health and social care system is still developing.

However, what is beyond doubt is that it is already having a considerable impact."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The number of people in hospital with Covid has increased from 679 to 1,223 in the last week. That’s a rise of 80%.

That is putting significant additional pressure on the NHS."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Indeed, the NHS is now facing increasing pressure on three fronts.

First, from dealing with non-Covid backlogs built up over the course of the pandemic."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Second, many NHS staff are absent and self-isolating because they have Covid, or are close contacts of people with it.

This means the increasing pressure on the NHS is being managed by a depleted and ever more exhausted workforce."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "And third, as we keep saying, even with a lower rate of hospitalisation, the sheer volume of cases caused by the much greater transmissibility of Omicron will lead to more patients with Covid ending up in hospital."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "It's important to remember this - even if Covid is not the primary reason for someone’s admission to hospital, the fact they have it means enhanced infection control measures are required, which further constrains NHS capacity."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "We continue to support health boards and staff to manage the pressure - this includes working with councils to reduce delayed discharge and targeting additional capacity where possible."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Work is also underway to develop alternative patient pathways for people with Covid, enabling them where possible to remain at home with appropriate monitoring and advice rather than be admitted to hospital."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "This work will also help identify at an earlier stage patients likely to benefit from new antiviral treatments."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Of course, we can all help the NHS by taking steps to reduce transmission of the virus as much as possible."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "While abiding by current guidance and protections is vitally important, we know that measures which restrict our lives are not sustainable indefinitely."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "And with a variant as infectious as Omicron, the kind of protections that are still possible, within our financial resources and without causing greater harm in other ways, won’t control transmission to the same extent as they would have with other variants."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "In light of this, coupled with the fact that Covid won’t suddenly disappear and that Omicron is unlikely to be the last new variant we encounter, we need to continue to adapt our thinking about how to manage the virus and become more resilient to it in future."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Let me be clear - this does not, in my view, mean giving up trying to control Covid at all - the impact of Covid on individual health and on our collective wellbeing is too significant for that."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "But it does mean seeking ways of doing so that are more proportionate, more sustainable, and less restrictive."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The Scottish Government is currently working on and will publish within the next few weeks a revised strategic framework, which will set out more fully how that process of adaptation can be managed."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "We will seek views from across Parliament as we develop this new framework in more detail.

However, the changes I am about to confirm to the requirements on self isolation and testing are an early indication of an already adapting response."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "I said last week that it was important to consider changes to self isolation rules carefully.

We wanted to ensure such changes are made only when in the view of clinical advisors, the benefits of them outweigh their risks."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "I also want to make changes in a coherent, not a piecemeal manner, given the importance of clear public understanding of what is required."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "As a result of this consideration, we are now proposing two changes to the self isolation rules, and one change to the requirement for PCR testing.

All of these changes will take effect from midnight tonight."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The first change to self isolation applies to those who test positive for Covid.

While the initial advice when someone tests positive will still be to self-isolate for 10 days, there will now be an option to end isolation after 7 days..."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "...as long as you, firstly, have no fever and, secondly, you record two negative lateral flow tests, one no earlier than day 6 after testing positive - and another at least 24 hours later."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The second change applies to close contacts of positive cases - including household contacts - who are either under the age of 18 years, 4 months, or who are older than that and fully vaccinated.

By 'fully vaccinated', we mean first, second and booster or third doses."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "For close contacts in these categories the requirement to self-isolate will end and be replaced by a requirement to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days.

Obviously, if one of these tests is positive, self- isolation will then be required."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Anyone identified as a close contact who is over 18 years and four month and not fully vaccinated will still be asked to self-isolate for ten days and take a PCR test."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "At this stage of the pandemic they strike an appropriate balance between the continued importance of self-isolation in breaking chains of transmission, and reducing the disruption that self-isolation causes in the economy and other critical services."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "We are also proposing an important change to the advice on testing.

Scotland, and the UK as a whole, has one of the most extensive PCR testing systems anywhere in the world."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "However, with infection levels are as high as they are, we must fully utilise all available testing capacity - PCR and lateral flow.

For those with symptoms of Covid, the advice remains to book a PCR test."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The advice to everyone is to test regularly with lateral flow devices, especially before meeting up with others.

However, from tomorrow, if your lateral flow test is positive there will no longer be any need to take a PCR test to confirm the result."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Instead, you must immediately isolate immediately and also report your result online so that Test & Protect can commence the contact tracing process and give you advice as quickly as possible."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "You will also receive an online form that you must fill in to ensure your contacts are notified."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Other countries, Canada for example, have already made this change.

It has been made possible because lateral flow tests are now widely available and work well."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Also, and importantly, the Test & Protect system in Scotland can start contact tracing on the strength of a reported positive lateral flow result as well as a PCR."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "And, crucially, at times of very high levels of infection the risk of a false positive lateral flow result is very low indeed - around just 3 in 10,000.

So the safest thing to do at this stage is treat a positive lateral flow test as confirmation of Covid."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "This allows us to maximise testing capacity and ensure a speedier start to the process of contact tracing and advice."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "There are a few further points I want to touch on today.

Firstly, the current situation continues to take its toll on businesses."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Last week, I confirmed the allocation of more than £200 million of the £375 million in business support we are making available.

Today, I can confirm the allocation of a further £55 million."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Up to £28 million will be allocated to taxi and private hire drivers and operators.

£19 million will support services such as beauticians and hairdressers.

£5 million will be provided for sport, and an additional £3 million for tourism."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Secondly, in light of the widespread community transmission of Omicron in the UK now, discussions have been taking place today between the four UK governments about possible changes to travel rules, including the requirement for pre-departure testing."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "If these discussions result in proposed changes, we will inform Parliament as quickly as possible."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "My third point relates to education, and the start of the new term."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "All secondary school children are being asked to take a lateral flow test on the night before or morning of their first day back, and thereafter to test twice a week and also in advance mixing socially with people from other households."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "University and college students should also take a lateral flow test immediately before travelling from home to term-time accommodation, and thereafter test twice a week and before socialising with people from other households."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Staff in all educational and early years settings should take a lateral flow just before starting back at work, and regularly after that."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Our priority is to keep schools open and to minimise further disruption to education.

However, with community transmission high, I know the next few weeks will be challenging for pupils, staff and parents."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Using lateral flow tests will help, so too will the changes to self isolation rules.

We will also work with councils to ensure the guidance issued before Christmas is followed to keep schools not just open - but as safe as possible."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "My final update today is on vaccination.

I am immensely grateful to everyone involved in delivering vaccines – and to everyone who has been vaccinated."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "By the bells on Hogmanay, around 3 million people - 77% of those eligible - had received their booster or third jag dose.

If you weren’t one of these people - and you are eligible - please come forward now."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "You can arrange an appointment online, or go to a drop-in clinic. There is plenty capacity and you can get details at NHS inform or your local health board’s website.

Getting a booster doesn’t mean you won’t get Covid – although it will reduce the chances of it."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "It will significantly enhance your protection against serious illness. It could quite literally save your life.

12 to 15 year olds can also now go to drop-in centres to get the second dose."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "I encourage everyone in that age group to do so as soon as possible.

If you are the parent or carer of someone in that age group, you can go with them to the vaccination centre."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The vaccine programme has been an outstanding success - but there are still many people eligible but not yet vaccinated."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "If you are one of those not yet vaccinated, for your own sake and the sake of all of us, please rectify that.

It is not too late - and no one will judge you for not having done it before now. On the contrary, you will be welcomed with open arms."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "This phase of the pandemic is possibly the most challenging so far.

The most infectious variant so far is creating a volume of cases that, notwithstanding its possibly reduced severity, still has the potential to overwhelm us."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Two years in, the kind of measures that have helped us control transmission in past phases are becoming less tolerable and causing more harm.

So while not easy, we do need to continually adapt our ways of managing this virus, and we will."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "In the meantime, we must continue to do what we know makes a difference.

So get fully vaccinated as soon as you can – please do it this week."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "The more of us who get boosted, the less severe the impact of Omicron will be – for each of us as individuals if we get the virus, and for society as a whole."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Secondly, limit your contacts.

Right now, with infection levels at 1 in 20 at least, every interaction we have comes with a significant risk of catching the virus.

So we should prioritise the contacts that matter most to us."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Third, if you are meeting other people, test before you go, every time.

And take the test as close as possible to the time you will be seeing other people."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "And finally, take all the other precautions which make a difference.

Work from home whenever possible. As the new working year gets underway, I appeal again to employers to enable this."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "Wear a face covering on public transport, in shops, and when moving about in hospitality - and make sure it fully covers your mouth and nose."

@NicolaSturgeon FM: "If you are meeting indoors, limit the number of households in your group to 3 at most.

Keep windows open, and follow all advice on hygiene.

My thanks to everyone doing all of this."