Coronavirus: Only 49 out of 17,500 under-17s test positive and police given powers to break-up house parties

Only 49 young people and children under 17 have tested positive for coronavirus out of 17,500 tests.

Nicola Sturgeon has responded to a number of issues in today’s coronavirus daily briefing.

The first minister addressed the number of young people under 17 being tested, as well as updating on a number of coronavirus clusters across the country.

She also confirmed that as of tomorrow, police will have greater powers in breaking up house parties.

Here’s what was covered:

Only 49 positive cases in nearly 17,500 tests of under-17s

The first minister said that testing of under-17s in recent weeks has increased significantly, rising eight-fold since the middle of July.

Last week just short of 17,500 young people aged between two and 17 were tested.

Of those only 49 tested positive, a positivity rate of 0.3%.

Despite the increase of 300% in the number of young people tested, the number of positive cases recorded increased by just two.

The first minister said she hopes this is reassuring to teachers and parents across the country, asking them to remain vigilant but not be too concerned about young people.

Police given new powers to break up house parties

Ms Sturgeon confirmed that from tomorrow police in Scotland have been given powers to break up and disperse house parties.

She said they can disperse a house party if more than 15 people from more than one household are in attendance.

Under the current guidance, no more than eight people from three different households should be meeting indoors. It can be up to 15 people from five different households if outdoors.

She also advised against the temptation to hold big indoor gatherings and said the higher limit is not a green light to ignore the maximum of eight people indoors, rather it is for the powers to be used as a last resort only.

Covid clusters

Aberdeen

The first minister confirmed than in Aberdeen, there are now 263 associated with the original pub cluster.

She adds that’s an increase of two since yesterday and all of the signs continue to be that this outbreak is under control.

Cafes, pubs and restaurants in the city could reopen from yesterday.

Hawick

The cluster in Hawick now has seven positive cases all from a small number of families in the area.

The first minister pointed out control measures are in place at a number of work places and contact tracing is underway, with a mobile testing facility in place.