Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland R rate could be as high as 1.4

‘It is reminder of need for us to take this seriously,’ first minister says

Zoe Tidman
Thursday 03 September 2020 15:52 BST
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Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland's R rate could be as high as 1.4

Scotland‘s reproduction rate for coronavirus could be as high as 1.4, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

The Scottish first minister issued a warning on Thursday that “the virus is spreading again”.

The R rate – which represents how many people on average one positive case infects - is “probably above one”, she said.

It could even be 1.4, Ms Sturgeon added.

The rate was believed to have been below one for some months.

Ms Sturgeons comments come days after lockdown measures were tightened in Glasgow and for two surrounding areas.

“I said recently that the R number is of slightly less concern when overall prevalence of the virus is low, and overall prevalence of the virus is still low in Scotland right now,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“But nevertheless this is a reminder that the virus is spreading again here, just as it is elsewhere in the UK, across Europe and indeed in the wider world.”

She added: “It is a reminder of the need for us to take this seriously and do all of the right things.”

Speaking at Scotland’s daily coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon also announced 101 more cases of coronavirus had been detected, and one more person had died after testing positive for the virus.

The death happened in mid-August but Public Health Scotland “have only now got all the information required”, the first minister said.

She also told the briefing that 20,889 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland in total - up by just over 100 from the day before.

Provisional figures indicate some 53 of these new cases are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where fresh restrictions were reintroduced on Tuesday amid a spike in Covid-19 cases.

People in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire have been banned from visiting other households for two weeks, as authorities try and contain the virus.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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