Sturgeon welcomes milestone of seven days without virus deaths
SCOTLAND HAS now gone a full week without any new coronavirus deaths, Nicola Sturgeon said.
Speaking during the daily briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said no Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours among patients who have tested positive for the virus – the seventh day in a row without a rise in fatalities.
A total of 2,490 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive, she said yesterday.
The figure is lower than the 4,187 deaths reported earlier by the National Records of Scotland as they do not include suspected and probable coronavirus infections.
The latest figures show 18,373 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by five from 18,368 the day before.
Ms Sturgeon said that on three days in the week to July 9, there were no admissions to hospital
First Minister urged people not to risk the progress that had been made.
of confirmed Covid-19 cases and there have been six days in total since June 26 with no coronavirus admissions.
Ms Sturgeon said: “If I think back to the early part of April, into May, what I would have given to stand here and give you figures like that.
“At the peak of this outbreak more than 200 people were for a period being admitted to hospital every day. Let’s not take the risk of going back to that.”
The milestone came as Scotland eased lockdown restrictions further. The First Minister said: “Today marks the biggest step for Scotland out of lockdown so far.
“The childcare sector can fully open from today, venues like museums, galleries and other attractions can also welcome visitors from today, although in many cases you will need to book tickets in advance. Hairdressing services resume today, in fact I understand some opened at midnight (because of ) demand. I wish I had known about that.
“The changes are long awaited and have been very hard-earned by everybody across the country.”
Referring to fresh lockdown restrictions in California – where bars, cinemas and restaurants have had to close down again – the First Minister said: “That must be a reminder that our progress out of lockdown could yet go into reverse.”