Scotland to join silence for Coronavirus workers

Author: Rob WallerPublished 27th Apr 2020

The First Minister is confirming the Scottish Government is joining a minute's silence at 11am on Tuesday to pay tribute to people who have died from the virus while working.

Nicola Sturgeon said the tribute would be "particularly, but not exclusively'' for health and care workers.

She added: "The silence will provide an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have died as a result of their work to serve, care for and save others and it will be a further reminder that of all the duties Government bares during a situation like this, the most vital is our obligation to keep care and health workers safe.

"I want to stress again today that I and the Scottish Government are acutely aware of that responsibility and will work each and every day to do everything we can to fulfil that obligation.''

The First Minister also said there were "real signs of progress'' in the daily statistics of those affected by Covid-19.

She said that the number of people in intensive care in Scotland has dropped by "around a third'' in the last two weeks, along with the number of people being treated in hospital remaining stable.

Despite the progress the First Minister has outlined, she claimed that it was still too early to lift lockdown measures.

She said: "This progress remains very fragile and now is a time for all of us to exercise careful caution.

"It's certainly not the time to throw caution to the wind.''

A total of 1,262 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 13 from 1,249 on Sunday.

10,521 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 197 from 10,324 the day before.

There are 134 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, an increase of one on Sunday.

There are 1,762 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

Ms Sturgeon added that 2,380 people who have tested positive for coronavirus have now been able to leave hospital.

She said the overall trend in statistics gives "cause for cautious optimism''.

The First Minister also said there were "real signs of progress'' in the daily statistics of those affected by Covid-19.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the number of people in intensive care in Scotland has dropped by "around a third'' in the last two weeks, along with the number of people being treated in hospital remaining stable.

Despite the progress the First Minister has outlined, she claimed that it was still too early to lift lockdown measures.

She said: "This progress remains very fragile and now is a time for all of us to exercise careful caution.

"It's certainly not the time to throw caution to the wind.''