Another seven Covid deaths in Scotland as hospital admissions and cases rise

The deaths of another seven coronavirus patients have been recorded in Scotland, as 1,297 more people test positive for the infection.

The number of people currently being treated in hospital has also passed 500.

Highlighting the figures at her daily press briefing, The First Minister said new measures brought in by the Scottish Government last week are “tough but necessary”, warning half measures might not work.

The tougher regulations, including widespread hospitality restrictions, are “firmly rooted in scientific advice”, she added, stressing the most important way to support the economy is to keep coronavirus at bay.

She also discussed the potential for a fourth tier in a Scottish coronavirus alert system.

She told the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Tuesday: “This can't be seen as a contest between health and the economy.

“Keeping people safe from a potentially deadly virus is a prerequisite of a strong economy and of course in turn, a strong economy is vital for our health and wellbeing.

“These are not opposing objectives, even if it sometimes feels like they are - they are instead two sides of the same coin.”

Ms Sturgeon added: “The fact is that against this virus we sometimes have to be tough. Half measures often don't work.

The First Minister said she will soon bring in a new strategic framework to deal with the virus.

She said: “These are the tough but necessary restrictions that we're asking everyone to abide by as we try to make sure the virus does not run out of control.

“In return, the Government will continue to strengthen Test and Protect, we will do all we can to encourage and support people to comply with the advice, including the self-isolation ... and we will work with businesses to ensure that they can trade safely with as much normality as is possible during a pandemic.

“And we will be bringing all of this work together in a new strategic framework to guide us through the next phase of this pandemic.

“And that will be debated in Parliament after the October break.”

On Monday, Ms Sturgeon said she will seek to align a planned tiered alert system as closely with the rest of the UK as possible.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a three-tier system for England, with areas classed as medium, high or very high risk.

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is “mindful” of the fact the minimum requirements of the third tier alert level may not be enough to bring the R level below one.

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