The Scottish Government is to set up a new Covid-19 scientific advisory group to ensure they have the “fullest understanding” of how coronavirus is spreading across the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to supplement scientific advice from the UK’s SAGE Committee by establishing a Scottish Covid-19 advisory group.
The First Minister said: “As the number of cases increase, it is ever more important that we have the fullest understanding of how the virus is spreading across Scotland.
“For that reason I can confirm we are seeking to supplement the advice from SAGE, establishing a Scottish Government Covid-19 advisory group.”
The group will be chaired by Professor Andrew Morris, from the University of Edinburgh, and supported by Professor David Crossman of the University of St Andrews.
Speaking after the First Minister, Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said the Scottish Covid-19 scientific advisory group will provide ‘bespoke’ advice.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood sets out plans for a Scottish government Covid-19 Advisory Group to provide "bespoke advice" for the population in Scotland
Latest #coronavirus in Scotland updates ➡️ https://t.co/DRe3LM2iyz pic.twitter.com/DdaIvdIYDM
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) March 25, 2020
She said this advice is particularly important as while there are a lot of cases in London, Scotland is behind the current situation there with fewer cases.
Dr Calderwood said: “In time, we will want to apply our own Scottish data to some of these advisory measures.
“Perhaps it will not be appropriate to have all of the suppression measures in all of the country as we progress through the transmission of this disease, and also as we see how the capacity of our NHS is holding up.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been six more Scottish coronavirus deaths, taking the total to 22.
The First Minister also confirmed at the briefing that 51 people who have either tested positive for or have symptoms of the virus were being treated in intensive care units.
She added: “It is clear that we are now seeing a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in Scotland.”
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