No new Covid-19 deaths in Scotland for the fifth day in a row but government probing spikes in cases in some areas
For the fifth day in a row Scotland there have been no new fatalities from confirmed cases of Covid-19 but a higher number of new cases than has 'recently been the norm' has been recorded, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
She said the Scottish Government would be closely monitoring each outbreak – one of which occurred at a Glasgow care home – to discover if there was any cause for concern.
Ms Sturgeon was also joined by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman who revealed that screenings for breast cancer would start to resume this week after the health investigations were paused at the end of March.
The First Minister said: “An additional six positive cases were confirmed yesterday which takes the total now in Scotland to 18,365 – it is perhaps worth noting that on both Friday and on Sunday we saw higher numbers of new cases and has been the norm in recent weeks.
“Yesterday 19 new cases were reported, on Friday it was 18 on any occasion when there is an increase like that, I want to give an assurance that we look very, very thoroughly to see if there are any patterns or particular cause for concern.
“With respect to the 19 cases that were reported yesterday, we know that 12 of these cases were in Glasgow and seven of those – all of which were asymptomatic cases – were related to one single care home.
“That is being looked at in much more detail and all necessary follow-up tests, checks and precautions are being undertaken.
“And I'm pleased to say that during the past 24-hours no deaths were registered of a patient confirmed through a test as having Covid-19 – the total number of deaths under that measurement therefore remains at 2490.
“This is now the fifth day in a row when no deaths have been reported.”
Ms Jeane Freeman also announced the that breast cancer screening can be restarted with letters going out this week.
“On March 30 we took the difficult decision to pause our national screening programmes based on expert clinical advice and a very careful assessment of risk,” she said.
“We have now resumed the cervical, abdominal, aortic aneurysm and diabetic retinopathy screening programmes from the end of early June and very early July.
“I am now very pleased to say that NHS boards will resume the breast cancer screening programme.
“So anyone who was invited for a breast screening appointment before the pause at the end of March and who was either unable to attend for any reason or had their appointment cancelled will receive a letter in the coming weeks.
“If your appointment was cancelled by the breast screening service the letter will give you a specified timed appointment.
“If you couldn't make an appointment yourself then you will be given an invitation to contact the screening clinic to make a new appointment.
“And invitations for a breast cancer screening for those who would in normal course be due an invitation will slowly start to resume this week as well.”
