Children's Covid cases in Scotland reach record high

Coronavirus infections in children have reached their highest level since the pandemic began in Scotland, public health data shows.

More than 1000 under-15s tested positive in the week to June 7, as Scotland recorded its highest number of new coronavirus cases in almost four months.

More than 100 children were confirmed with the virus every day in the week, with 186 testing positive on Monday.

Between June 1 and June 7, 1064 under-15s tested positive for Covid-19, with the total number of kids in the age range seeing a nearly four-fold increase since the begining of May.

The number of positive cases among children has now surpassed the January 2021 peak.

More than a fifth of all contact tracing cases in Scotland had been in an education setting in the week before having symptoms at the end of May.

Hospital admissions related to Covid-19 rose among under-18s throughout May, although numbers remain low.

Weekly rate of children in education settings tested for COVID-19 per 100,000 population (PHS)

Professor Devi Sridhar, chairman of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, said children aged 12 and over should be vaccinated to help them return to normal school life.

Weekly rates of children testing positive have been increasing since early Mary, with the number in the youngest education settings, between two and four-years-old, almost doubling.

National clinical director Jason Leitch said he expects the vaccine rollout to be extended to youngsters in autumn and winter.

Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner has joined calls for ministers to review coronavirus guidance which prevents parents from attending special ceremonies to mark their child finishing nursery.

Deputy first minister and Covid recovery secretary John Swinney said the pandemic means such events are not permitted and that some nurseries are looking at “alternative ways” of celebrating the moments.