Evidence lockdown restrictions are working, First Minister says
The First Minister says there are cautious grounds for optimism.
There are “cautious grounds for optimism” as coronavirus hospital admissions in Scotland start to decline.
The First Minister said there is “early evidence'' lockdown restrictions are working and urged Scots to stick to them, saying positive signs can only be maintained if adherence to the rules continues.
Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said: “We are seeing some early evidence that these restrictions are working, which is positive.
“We think they are starting to reduce case numbers and while it will take a bit of time yet to feed properly into admissions to hospital and ICU, we also hope that we might be starting to see some early positive signs too.''
She also gave an update on the vaccination rollout in Scotland, saying 415,402 people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and the Scottish Government is on track to meet its target to vaccinate everyone over the age of 70, by mid-February.
Ms Sturgeon said 95% of residents in adult care homes and 95% of health workers have now been vaccinated, with 46% of all people over the age of 80 given a jab, up by 9% since Friday.
From Monday, Scots aged between 70 and 79 will receive letters inviting them for their inoculation.
“It's in your interests, and obviously in everybody else's interest for you, to accept the appointment and get vaccinated as soon as possible,'' the First Minister said.
“Today therefore marks a further important milestone in a vaccination programme which is making good progress and we remain on track to vaccinate everyone over the age of 70 by the middle of February.''
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