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Coronavirus in Scotland: Virus transmission rate 'could be increasing' Coronavirus in Scotland: Virus transmission rate 'could be increasing'
(32 minutes later)
Scotland's coronavirus infection rate could be increasing after a number of small clusters were detected.Scotland's coronavirus infection rate could be increasing after a number of small clusters were detected.
Health authorities in Orkney are dealing with nine positive cases, while an Aberdeenshire primary school was closed after a staff member tested positive.Health authorities in Orkney are dealing with nine positive cases, while an Aberdeenshire primary school was closed after a staff member tested positive.
A cluster in Glasgow has been linked to secondary school pupils.A cluster in Glasgow has been linked to secondary school pupils.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the reproduction rate of the virus - the R number - could now be above one.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the reproduction rate of the virus - the R number - could now be above one.
Scientists believe an R number higher than one is dangerous as it means the number of cases can in theory spread exponentially.Scientists believe an R number higher than one is dangerous as it means the number of cases can in theory spread exponentially.
This is because each person with the virus would on average be infecting more than one other person.This is because each person with the virus would on average be infecting more than one other person.
Ms Sturgeon said that the upper estimate of the R number in Scotland "could have been as high as 1.3" last week. Ms Sturgeon said that the upper estimate of the R number in Scotland "could have been as high as 1.3" last week. The figure was previously estimated to be between 0.6 and one.
But she stressed that this was at a time when there were only thought to be have been about 250 infectious people in Scotland. But the first minister stressed that there were only thought to be have been about 250 infectious people in Scotland last week.
The first minister said this meant there was "not the same level of concern as you would have had back in May when prevalence was much higher". She said this meant there was "not the same level of concern as you would have had back in May when prevalence was much higher".
She added: "While we shouldn't be unduly alarmed, it is equally important that we're not in any way complacent." She added: "When the prevalence across the country is low the R number will be disproportionately affected by outbreaks on the scale of the one in Aberdeen.
"While we shouldn't be unduly alarmed, it is equally important that we're not in any way complacent.
"Covid is still present and it will spread really rapidly if given an opportunity"."Covid is still present and it will spread really rapidly if given an opportunity".
House parties
Ms Sturgeon said the data suggested there was a particular problem with house parties, and urged people to comply with the rules on visiting other people's homes.Ms Sturgeon said the data suggested there was a particular problem with house parties, and urged people to comply with the rules on visiting other people's homes.
A total of 47 new cases have been confirmed across the country since Wednesday.A total of 47 new cases have been confirmed across the country since Wednesday.
Ms Sturgeon said 26 of the new cases were in the Grampian health board area, although it was not clear how many are linked to the ongoing outbreak in Aberdeen. Ms Sturgeon said 26 of the new cases were in the Grampian health board area - although it was not clear how many are linked to the ongoing outbreak in Aberdeen which has so far seen 182 people test positive.
Meanwhile, officials say the nine people who tested positive in Orkney worked together, before travelling to homes across the islands.Meanwhile, officials say the nine people who tested positive in Orkney worked together, before travelling to homes across the islands.
Possible links between the Orkney cluster and the outbreak in Aberdeen are being investigated.Possible links between the Orkney cluster and the outbreak in Aberdeen are being investigated.
A "household cluster" is being investigated in Peterhead after a member of staff at Peterhead Central primary tested positive.A "household cluster" is being investigated in Peterhead after a member of staff at Peterhead Central primary tested positive.
And a cluster of eight cases in the Baillieston area of Glasgow is said to include a number of pupils at Bannerman High School.And a cluster of eight cases in the Baillieston area of Glasgow is said to include a number of pupils at Bannerman High School.
However, officials have stressed that none of the pupils has attended the school since it reopened on Wednesday, and all are self-isolating.However, officials have stressed that none of the pupils has attended the school since it reopened on Wednesday, and all are self-isolating.
The first minister said that these kind of clusters were "inevitable", and insisted that the test and protect system of contact tracing was working as intended.The first minister said that these kind of clusters were "inevitable", and insisted that the test and protect system of contact tracing was working as intended.