Thread by @ScotExpress

LIVE Nicola Sturgeon gives #COVID update to Scottish Parliament

Sturgeon "confident" we've turned the corner on the recent Omicron wave

7,752 positive cases reported yesterday, 1,546 hospitalised, 59 in intensive care, 31 deaths

Omicron "continuing to infect large numbers of people"

Booster vaccinations, willingness of public and temporary protective restrictions has "helped blunt the impact" of Omicron

Omicron continuing to fall across most age groups

"Significant fall in number of new positive cases"

64% decline in positive Omicron cases

The rise in cases driven by Omicron peaked in January and we're now on the downward trend

The lifting of measures could see a rise in cases

NHS remains under "acute pressure"

ALL #COVID restrictions lifted from Monday 24th of January

"Sensible for all to remain cautious in social interactions"

Sturgeon advises Scots to keep social gatherings small until the end of the month

Scots should continue to take lateral flow tests and record results

Still asking people to continue to work from home

Baseline #COVID measures still in place for businesses and places of worship

Covid certification scheme still in place for large indoor and outdoor events and late night venues

Covid certification scheme has NOT been extended to other premises

Nightclubs and other late night venues must implement the scheme if they have an area for dancing

If you test positive you must isolate for ten days

However, if you don't have a fever and you take two negative lateral flow tests more than 24 hours apart on day 6 and day 7 - you can end self-isolation on day 7

Sturgeon thanks Scots for their efforts

16 and 17 year-olds who had their second vaccine 12 weeks or more ago, can get their booster

12 to 15-year-olds can get their second dose of the vaccine

5 to 11-year-olds with specific medical conditions that put them at greater risk of Covid can get their first dose of the vaccine

Scotland has achieved "very high rates of vaccination"

More than 600,000 people over the age of 18 who are eligible for a vaccine but remain unvaccinated

Sturgeon says unvaccinated people are four times more likely to receive hospital treatment

"entering a much calmer phase of the epidemic"

Sturgeon urges Scots to get full vaccinated, take care when socialising, test before socialising, keep windows open, continue to work from home, wear a mask and follow hygiene advice