Nicola Sturgeon says Covid-19 'in retreat' in Scotland as no deaths reported for second day

Imogen Braddick8 June 2020

Nicola Sturgeon has said coronavirus is "in retreat" in Scotland after she announced no new Covid-19 deaths for the second day running.

Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said a total of 2,415 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, no change on the previous day’s figure.

Ms Sturgeon told those who have been shielding for the past three months that it “really does matter” that the guidance continues to be followed.

She said: “These painful but necessary sacrifices have brought us to where we are today – with this virus in retreat.”

The First Minister said that the second day in a row without any registered deaths was “very encouraging”.

“I can’t tell you how long I have waited to be able to report such a development and I know all of you will have longed to hear that," she said.

However, she said it was likely that more deaths from the virus were likely to be reported in the coming days.

She said: “There are no words that will ever adequately express the sorrow that I feel for all that you have gone through, or indeed the gratitude that I feel for the way that you have borne it.”

Ms Sturgeon said 15,639 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 18 from 15,621 the day before.

There are 1,042 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, an increase of 40.

Of these patients, 24 were in intensive care, a decrease of one.

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Addressing those who have been shielding due to a pre-existing health condition, the First Minister said that shielding “remains necessary”, advising that it should continue until July 31.

However, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped to be able to move to a “tailored position” where individuals will be given more specialist advice on how to protect themselves from the virus.

From June 18, the First Minister said, those who are shielding – unless they live in care homes – will be able to leave their home for daily exercise, but they will not be able to take part in sports or meet those from other households in the way other Scots have been able to.

Ms Sturgeon added that she expected the measures to be put in place for the shielded group next week.

She also said that the measures will be kept “under review” before July 31.

Ms Sturgeon said at the briefing that she is “hopeful” that if the suppression of the virus continues in the same way that it has in recent days, the review on June 18 will see Scotland move to the second phase of the coronavirus recovery.

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