Sturgeon warns over rapid spread of new Covid strain
First Minister to ‘consider any additional precautions’ after discovery
NICOLA Sturgeon has said a new variant of coronavirus identified in southern England is “potentially concerning” as she insisted her officials are monitoring the situation closely.
The First Minister said the Scottish Government is also considering whether “any additional precautions are required” north of the Border.
It comes as Ms Sturgeon is due to review the different restrictions in place across Scotland this afternoon.
This will determine the rules council areas are under in the run-up to Christmas.
Yesterday, tougher restrictions were imposed in London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire following “very sharp, exponential rises” in cases.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPS the number of cases involving the new variant of coronavirus was “increasing rapidly”.
Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants, he said.
He added: “We’ve currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant, predominantly in the south of England, although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.”
The Health Secretary said there was nothing to suggest the variant was more likely to cause serious disease and he suggested the vaccine should still be effective.
There had been similar variants in other countries and the World Health Organisation has been informed, he added.
“But it shows we’ve got to be vigilant and follow the rules and everyone needs to take personal responsibility not to spread this virus,” he said.
Mr Hancock said it was necessary to move London from tier two to tier three, the toughest under England’s system, to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.
“Over the last week we have seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire,” he said.
“We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause, we have to take decisive action which is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out.
“In some parts of these areas the doubling time is around every seven days.”
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, later said it was not yet clear if the new variant can be transmitted more easily.
He also said there is no evidence
it is more dangerous. Ms Sturgeon said news of the new variant “is clearly a potentially concerning development”.
She said Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, had given her an initial briefing and the Scottish Government would be monitoring the situation closely.
She added: “We will also consider whether any additional precautions are required meantime.”
Last night, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are aware of this new strain and further analysis and investigation is ongoing in order to understand the characteristics and therefore potential impact of this variant, and this will be discussed by the four CMOS [chief medical officers] this evening.”
Today’s review of restrictions in Scotland follows controversy over the decision to keep Edinburgh in level three last week.
Yesterday, a leaked document showed public health officials had recommended the capital move down to level two, which would have allowed a loosening of restrictions.
Under level two, restaurants, cafes and pubs can serve alcohol with a main meal.
Speaking during her coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon said the Edinburgh decision was “tough and unpopular”.
But she said: “If I look at the data since last Tuesday, then I have to conclude that the decision we took last Tuesday not to take Edinburgh down a level was actually the right one.”
The First Minister said the most recent data showed cases in Edinburgh increased by 33 per cent in the sevenday period.
She said: “When we took the decision last Tuesday, and the reason that we took the decision we did, is we were already starting to see that edging up in cases.
“And the judgment I and the Cabinet made, and I think it is the right judgment, is that when you’re starting to see that kind of increase, it would not be a sensible thing to do to ease restrictions.
“It would be like pouring petrol on smouldering embers.”
Elsewhere, hospitality bosses hit out at the Scottish Government over its failure to respond to a freedom of information request asking for the evidence behind its decisions.
The Scottish Hospitality Group, which represents some of the biggest names in the sector, said the request was sent on November 4, meaning it is now overdue.
Spokesman Stephen Montgomery said: “The First Minister increasingly
Far from being part of the problem, responsible hospitality businesses are part of the solution to Covid
defends her Cabinet’s decisions by saying no politician wants to take unpopular decisions. Motives are not the point here.
“We are allowed to question and criticise government policy without that being deflected as somehow doubting her intentions.
“We have huge concerns over the advice that the Government is acting on and the judgments it is making.
“Far from being part of the problem, responsible hospitality businesses are part of the solution to Covid-19.
“Rather than engage meaningfully with the sector and discuss how we can work together to protect public health, the Government continues to take decisions such as moving the goalposts on Edinburgh’s move into level two.
“Meanwhile, hundreds of operators in the Central Belt, forced to close for the three-week ‘short sharp shock’ in October, still await the First Minister’s promised £1,650.”