First Minister says new temporary hospital at SEC "may not be needed"

She was updating MSPs this afternoon - confirming the number of Covid-19 related deaths has risen by 16 overnight to 76.

Author: Callum ClarkPublished 1st Apr 2020
Last updated 1st Apr 2020

The First Minister says a new temporary hospital at the SEC in Glasgow "may not be needed".

Earlier this week Nicola Sturgeon revealed the facility should be up and running in a fortnight.

She was updating MSPs this afternoon on the latest covid-19 developments in Scotland, confirming 16 more people have died overnight.

This takes the total number of deaths in Scotland to 76, with 1,153 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus.

The First Minister also confirmed the Scottish Government's initial target to double the number of ICU beds has now been achieved.

"Given that some of this capacity will still be required for other urgent care, that provides us with approximately 250 ICU beds which can be used exclusively for Covid-19 patients," she said.

"I can also advise parliament that we are now working to quadruple intensive care capacity to more than 700 patients for covid patients."

It's been confirmed the new temporary hospital at the SEC will be named after a former nurse from Maryhill.

Louisa Jordan served in Serbia during the First World War

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman made the announcement in parliament.

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