Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's statement - 10 February 2021

I will give a quick update on today’s statistics.

803 new cases were reported yesterday. That’s 4.8% of all the tests carried out and the total number of cases now stands at 188,345.

Currently, there are 1,542 people in hospital. That is 76 fewer than yesterday and that is now just 22 above the peak of last spring which is positive.

113 people who have tested positive for Covid or been admitted to hospital with Covid within the last 28 days are currently in intensive care, that’s one more than yesterday.

Now, I deliberately gave that definition there because that is the standard measure we have been using for our daily, intensive care figures. But that definition doesn’t cover some patients – 30 as of today – who have been in intensive care with Covid now for more than 28 days.

The number of Covid patients experiencing long stays in ICU is now increasing and therefore from today, we will be publishing data on this additional measure.  

I also regret to report that, in the past 24 hours, a further 50 deaths were registered of patients who first tested positive in the past 28 days.

And the total number of people who have died under the daily measurement we use is now 6,551.

National Records of Scotland has also just published its weekly update - that includes cases where Covid is a suspected or contributory cause of death.

And today’s update shows that by Sunday, the total number of registered deaths linked to Covid - under that wider definition - was 8,726.  

374 of those deaths were registered last week, that is 70 fewer than in the previous week.

Once again, I want to take this opportunity to send my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one.

Let me also quickly update parliament on the latest vaccination figures.

As of 8.30 this morning, 985,569 people have received their first dose of the vaccine.

That is an increase of 57,447 since yesterday. That’s the second highest daily total so far which, given the severe weather conditions yesterday, is in my view nothing short of extraordinary.

And my thanks go to everyone who made it happen, those running the programme across the country and, of course, those braving the elements to get the jag.

We’ve now vaccinated with the first dose 99.8% of residents in older people’s care homes.

At least  96% of people over 80 living in the community have also now had the first dose, together with 80% of 75 to 79 year olds and 45% of those aged 70 to 74.

We remain on course to vaccinate everyone over 70 and all people with a serious clinical vulnerability by mid-February.

And we are also now accelerating the vaccination of 65 to 69 year olds.

Presiding officer, vaccination will in time offer us a route back to greater normality.

However, we know it must be accompanied by other measures.

That is why this week we have confirmed further steps to increase testing and also why we are adopting strict travel restrictions.

Michael Matheson announced yesterday that from Monday, all travellers to Scotland - from outside the Common Travel Area - will be required to undergo managed quarantine.

And for the moment – alongside vaccination, testing, and travel restrictions – lockdown continues to be the most important way we have of keeping the virus under control.

These restrictions are tough for all of us, but they are working.

So let me end by repeating the most important rule of all: please stay at home, except for essential purposes.

And when you are out, remember the FACTS advice – but please stay at home whenever possible.

It remains essential to getting and keeping the virus under control, as we vaccinate more and more people.

So please stick with it. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.