Western Isles to move into lockdown

The Scottish Government has taken the decision to move the whole of the Western Isles into lockdown from Saturday following an increase in coronavirus cases.

Six new cases of COVID have been confirmed in the health board area today after nine cases were reported yesterday.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the situation has placed a "significant strain on hospital capacity" at the lunchtime briefing today.

The islands of Barra and Vatersay are already in the highest tier of restrictions, having been moved to bring an outbreak under control earlier this month.

Freeman said of the rise in COVID cases at the lunchtime briefing: "I know that might not sound like very many but of course the population of the Western Isles is relatively small, so proportionately these are high numbers.

"In addition... these cases follow on from quite a high number of cases two weeks ago, including a significant community outbreak in Barra.

"All of that is placing significant strain on hospital capacity in the Western Isles health board area, in fact the hospital in Stornoway has now reached full capacity, so it is therefore vital we do everything we can to stop community transmission."

The decision to tighten restrictions in the area was taken after ministers were advised the move was necessary to prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed. 

Freeman said in a statement this evening: "The advice of our clinical advisers is that due to a rising trend of infections, lockdown is now necessary in the Western Isles. Discussions are under way to offer support and ease the pressure on local health services.

"It is essential that we further limit interaction between different households to stem the spread and bring the situation back under control, while we vaccinate more people."

Across Scotland, a further 70 people with the virus have died and 1,155 new cases have been recorded.

There are currently 1,958 people confirmed to have COVID in Scottish hospitals - 144 of whom are receiving treatment in intensive care.