Coronavirus briefing: New walk-in testing centres to open as nine new deaths recorded

Andrew Ilesley collects a self-test kit during a demonstration on how to use the new walk-through Covid testing centre in Dundee

Nicola Sturgeon has given an update on the coronavirus response in her final daily briefing of the week.

Nine new deaths have been recorded, the First Minister announced, with 629 people now in hospital with the virus.

There have been two new walk-in test centres opened, and Ms Sturgeon also repeated her warnings to football fans not to gather to watch Saturday’s Old Firm game.

Here’s a round-up of what came out of today’s briefing.

Today’s figures

Scotland has recorded nine deaths of coronavirus patients in the past 24 hours.

This takes the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 2,594.

1,196 people have tested positive in the past 24 hours, 16.9% of newly-tested individuals. That figure is down from 17.6% on Thursday.

Ms Sturgeon said 45,232 people have now tested positive for the virus, up from 44,036 the day before.

Of the new cases, 416 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 309 in Lanarkshire, 161 in Lothian, and 104 in Ayrshire and Arran.

There are 629 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 27 in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 58 were in intensive care, up by six.

Walk-in test centres

Two new walk-in testing centres will open on Friday and Saturday in Dundee and Edinburgh.

The new facilities will add to seven other such sites across the country, most of which are intended to allow students to get tested.

However, the First Minister said that the centres, opening today in Dundee city centre and tomorrow in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh, would also be available to non-students.

Countries added to quarantine list

Italy, Vatican City and San Marino were added to the quarantine list for those travelling to Scotland on Thursday night.

From 4am on Sunday, anyone entering Scotland from these three countries should self-isolate for 14 days.

Ms Sturgeon reiterated the Scottish Government’s guidance that international travel should only take place when absolutely necessary.

She added: “These changes are just an example of how quickly levels of the virus in any country or area here at home and of course overseas can change.”

All of the Greek islands except from Mykonos have also been removed from the quarantine list, meaning travellers will not have to self-isolate.

A reminder for football fans

Ms Sturgeon has again urged football fans to adhere to local coronavirus restrictions over the weekend, despite Saturday’s Old Firm game.

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said that the temptation to defy public health measures could be “even greater” than usual as a result of the game – the first derby of the season.

She said: “Nobody likes the fact that these restrictions have to be in place, but they are vital to protecting all of us and keeping us safe.

“So please comply with restrictions, by doing that you will be playing your part in helping us get the virus under control and you’ll be helping hasten the day when we can all watch and enjoy the things that we love doing whether that’s football or the many things that we find ourselves not able to do normally.”

The First Minister urged fans not to watch the game in other people’s homes, not to gather at the stadium and to avoid travel outside of Scotland so they can watch the game in a pub or bar.

A thank you for teachers

Ms Sturgeon thanked teachers, school staff, pupils and parents for their handling of the virus in recent months.

The First Minister added that it was a “real achievement” that schooling has largely returned to normal in this academic year.

She said: “We must not lose sight of what you have achieved during this first half-term.

“It is down to your efforts and your ability to adapt in extremely difficult circumstances that schools have been able to return.

“As a result, the vast majority of pupils are now able to have the classroom and wider school experience that was lost back in the spring.

“I don’t think we should underestimate that – it is a real achievement that young people have been able to have that normal school experience for the last number of weeks that they lost out on for much of this year.”