Nicola Sturgeon and her cabinet urged not to deploy ‘Project Fear’ after warning Scots face a rise in Covid cases
NICOLA Sturgeon and her cabinet were last night urged not to deploy “Project Fear” on Scots after warning the nation faces a “rising tide” of Covid.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney suggested there was a significant upsurge in the virus as he revealed a post-Christmas lockdown was a “possibility”.
His remarks prompted speculation that SNP ministers were preparing Scots for stricter curbs after the festive period - with an announcement possible as early as Tuesday.
But the Scottish Conservatives said Mr Swinney may have been “selective” in his choice of figures and language - in order to scare the public.
And leading public health expert Professor Linda Bauld said that on the basis of published data, she would not have described the current trend as a “rising tide”, but warned: “We’re definitely in a fragile situation.”
In a BBC Radio Scotland interview, Mr Swinney said: “Unfortunately in Scotland today, we are in a rising tide of coronavirus cases.
“If you look back about 10 days ago, we were sitting at about 99 cases per 100,000. We’re now sitting at about 116.
“So quite clearly we have got a rising trajectory. So always we tend to have social interaction in the period going forward, the better in terms of stemming the rise of coronavirus within our communities.”
Asked if Level 4 lockdowns could be announced on Tuesday - when the First Minister has scheduled an extra pre-Christmas tiers review - Mr Swinney said: “That could be a possibility. I can’t rule it out. Because we are on a rising tide of coronavirus cases.”
Mr Swinney’s comments referred to the number of new cases per 100,000 people in Scotland in the previous seven days.
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This is a key measure for ministers and Under Scottish Government criteria, Level 4 lockdowns can be considered when rates reach 300 per 100,000 people.
The Scotland-wide peak under this indicator was 186 on October 26.
Scottish Government data shows it fell to 99 on December 6 - the figure referred to by Mr Swinney - and then rose to 115 on December 15.
But the cases per 100,000 over seven days then dropped to 111 on December 16 and 110 on December 17.
Last night, when asked about the data and Mr Swinney;s comments. Edinburgh University’s Prof Bauld said: “It’s important we use measured language and we don’t alarm people.
“I think maybe Mr Swinney was just trying to express concern - I wouldn’t have described it as a ‘rising tide’ myself at the current time.”
The academic said the seven-day average of new cases had also crept up and there were only four local authorities in Scotland that have had fewer cases over the past week, while all others had seen rising case numbers.
She added: “So, in general nationally, we’re seeing rises rather than falls, which isn’t great given we’re about to go into this Christmas bubble period. I suspect he’s concerned about that. I wouldn’t have used the term ‘rising tide’ myself, but we’re definitely in a fragile situation.”
However, Prof Bauld said: “It’s certainly not the scenario we’re seeing in Wales or in some parts of the south-east of England, but we’re inching in the wrong direction.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “The deputy first minister’s comment about a ‘rising tide’ is unhelpful and seems to be based on a selective interpretation of the data.
“The worry is that if the SNP resort to Project Fear tactics then people will soon lose trust in the message.
“That is a genuine risk we face and ministers should think carefully about their choice of words in the future.”
Under rules, a “bubble” of three households can meet up indoors for December 23 to 27, amid fears Christmas could cause loneliness and depression under current ban on meet-ups inside.
But the Scottish Government this week advised people not to take advantage of the eased restrictions unless they have to, and not to travel to areas under higher tiers or levels.
Asked why the extra guidance was needed, Mr Swinney said there was “a deteriorating situation with Covid right across the United Kingdom”.
The Welsh Government announced on Wednesday that tougher restrictions will be imposed on the country immediately after the Christmas easing period.
Prof Bauld said that “stronger language” may be emerging from leaders at the moment as “they’re so worried about Christmas” despite the four nations agreement to ease rules.
She said: “But actually, you can see the Scottish Government’s heart isn’t in it.
“They don’t want to renege on an agreement, I completely get that, but they’d really prefer it wasn’t happening - and most people in public health would agree with that.”
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon said the latest Covid-19 figures for Scotland showed 30 deaths and 858 positive tests in the past 24 hours.
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She said: “The fact there is a window of opportunity over Christmas is a pragmatic recognition that some people may not be willing to leave loved ones alone and therefore it is an attempt to put some risk-reducing boundaries around that.
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“Let me reiterate that our clear advice is the safest way to spend Christmas this year is to stay within our own homes and households, and to keep any interaction with other households outdoors.
“We now have a real prospect of vaccination within weeks for many and within months for most. All of us should therefore do all we can to keep each other safe until then.”
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