Concern over rising number of coronavirus cases in Glasgow

Concern is growing over a rise in coronavirus cases in Glasgow, just days before the city is moved under level two restrictions.

Over the last week, there have been 25 cases per 100,000 people across Scotland. Glasgow is more than double that at 58 per 100,000.

Moray, which is expected to remain at level three next Monday following a surge in cases and an increase in hospital admissions, is higher still at 100 per 100,000.

But Pollokshields, in the southside of Glasgow, has the highest transmission rate in Scotland – 575 per 100,000, which is just slightly higher than in Easterhouse, in the east end of the city.

Scotland recorded 345 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, a third of them in Glasgow.

The Scottish Government has particular concerns over crowds of people gathering to celebrate various events in the city over the coming days including the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was vital to stick to the level three restrictions until they are lifted, as well as the “red list” quarantine rules for those arriving from countries such as India, Pakistan, Turkey and Nepal.

She said: “This is the second Eid to have taken place during the pandemic, which I know has been incredibly challenging.

“I want to thank community leaders and members for doing an amazing job keeping each other safe during this difficult period.

“I understand how disappointing it will be to have to restrict celebrations.

“However, everyone celebrating Eid must do so safely and in line with the necessary public health restrictions – unfortunately that means not visiting other people’s homes and maintaining a two-metre distance with those from outside your household at all times.”

She was speaking during a visit to Glasgow Central Mosque with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, where they urged Scotland’s Muslim community to celebrate the end of Ramadan safely.

Sarwar said: “Scottish Muslims have made sacrifices during Ramadan.

“But they have also made big sacrifices over the last year to get through this pandemic. Like me, I know you are desperate to be reunited with your loved ones.

“But I would urge everyone to please follow the Covid rules closely in the coming days. This is to keep you and your family safe and well.

“There is hope and optimism again as the lockdown continues to ease. And if we follow the rules we will soon be able to see and hold our loved ones again safely.”

Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said it was vital to maintain restrictions on household visiting and staying two metres apart from others.

He also urged Rangers fans to celebrate at home this weekend, with the Ibrox club set to be presented with the Premiership trophy following their match against Aberdeen.

Police Scotland also warned against large gatherings after a fan group organised a title day march – scheduled to leave the Glasgow stadium once the trophy has been lifted and then making its way to George Square.

Earlier on Wednesday, national clinical director Jason Leitch said there are currently around 20 to 30 cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Scotland.

He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme the cases have been detected in Scotland in a number of locations.

Professor Leitch said: “They are in a few places, some of that is travel, most of it has been connected with inward travel and then of course spread within a group from that initial seeding, more troubles in the north of England, so they’ve got more and it’s spreading faster.

“We’re a little bit unsure about the nature of this individual variant, it’s at least as transmissible as the Kent variant, we hope it’s not worse, but we’re having to do lots of science to find out.

“That’s one of the big concerns, we’ve talked about that for months, a variant worse than Kent would set us back.”