Covid-19: Text delivery service for most vulnerable groups

Vulnerable people who are “shielding” from coronavirus for 12 weeks will be able to receive deliveries of food and other essential items through a text messaging service, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

Speaking at a Scottish Government press briefing on Friday, the First Minister said 8000 people had already signed up for the initiative.

Information on how to register for the service was included in a letter to people who were advised to shield.

The Scottish Government had previously estimated that around 200,000 Scots were in vulnerable categories for Covid-19, and would need to be shielded from it through self-isolation.

Speaking on Friday, the First Minister said this estimate has been reduced to 120,000 people.

In tandem with a UK Government initiative, Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has written to people in this groups with advice on how to protect themselves and how to self-isolate for 12 weeks.

Sturgeon asked everyone who has received the letter to register the service.

She said: “You might not feel you need help right now, you might have family and friends who are providing the support you need.

“But registering now will help us to keep in touch with you if you need help later on.”

The Scottish Government is working with local authorities to ensure the delivery of necessary medications, she added.

It comes as the FM announced deaths among Covid-19 patients in Scotland have risen by 46 overnight to stand at 172, with 176 in intensive care, while confirmed cases now exceed 3000.