Covid-19 cluster identified at Glasgow care home - but no new deaths in five days

It’s been confirmed 12 of the 19 new Covid-19 cases reported in Scotland on Sunday were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with seven of those in a single care home.

Speaking at the Scottish Government's briefing on Monday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the cases were asymptomatic.

It’s not clear whether those who tested positive are residents, staff, or a mixture of both. The First Minister didn’t go into any more detail about which care home is affected by the outbreak.

The 19 cases announced on Sunday was a three-week high in Scotland - but no new deaths have been recorded for five days in a row.

It followed further easing of the lockdown, such as outdoor hospitality resuming on Wednesday and households being able to meet indoors on Friday.

Ms Sturgeon said of the cluster: “That is being looked at in much greater detail and all necessary follow-up tests, checks and precautions are being undertaken.”

The First Minister announced six people across Scotland tested positive for coronavirus between Sunday and Monday, taking the total to 18,365, but stressed extended hours enabling deaths to be registered at the weekend are now changing.

A total of 2,490 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, no change on the previous day.

Some 550 patients are in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19. Of these, six were in intensive care, no change in the past 24 hours.

The First Minister spoke as further lockdown changes came into force across Scotland on Monday, including hospitals allowing a designated visitor for non-coronavirus patients, shopping centres fully reopening and children being able to play contact sports outdoors.

She told the briefing: “Today indoor shopping malls have opened up, organised outdoor sport and play measures for children and some routine dental treatment has restarted.

“As these services reopen and as we all leave the house a bit more than has been the case over the past few months, it becomes ever more important that we take the basic steps to avoid the virus spreading again.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “We're asking you to please use your common sense - if car parks are full, move on, if places look busy then also move on.

“Our very strong advice, as you know, is to avoid crowded places, whether they're outdoors or indoors.”

She said there had been concerns raised with her about “large numbers of people wild camping”.

With campsites are set to fully reopen on Wednesday, she said: “If you do intend to use them over the next few weeks, our advice is to book ahead, not simply turn up.”

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