The Scottish Government have announced which level of protection each local authority will be placed in from Monday 2nd November, in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. Stirling will be placed in Level 3.
Alyn has put together a video message here.
Five indicators help determine which level a local authority is placed in:
- The number of new cases per 100,000
- Test positivity rate
- Future number of cases per 100,000 (based on trend data)
- Number of people likely to need acute hospital care in future weeks
- Number of people likely to need intensive care in future weeks
This document outlines more about these indicators.
This document outlines the current state of play for each local authority, including Stirling, and why we’ve been given the level we have. Pages 5, 21/22 cover Stirling.
From page 22, it’s clear why Stirling has been placed in Level 3:
‘Serious consideration was given to allocating Stirling to level 2. At this stage there is insufficient evidence of a sustained reduction in trends against the indicators to fully merit this. In relation to NHS Forth Valley, it is forecast that demand will exceed capacity within 6 weeks for hospital beds and within five weeks for ICU beds. There is also a significant risk of importation of cases from surrounding areas.’
This document sets out the modelling underpinning these decisions.
This virus remains deadly – there have been 24,700 cases reported across the UK in the last 24 hours (at time of writing), and safly 310 further deaths. The risk in the Stirling area to health and life remains high.
Business, workers and communities will need further support to get us through winter. Without the necessary borrowing powers in the hands of the Scottish Government,Alyn Smith MP will remain at his post in Westminster to fight for further support for the people of Stirling.
Notes:
At time of writing, ‘Scotland’s Strategic Framework’, the overarching document which sets out the details of the Levels, is awaiting an update. The 23 October version is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/
All other relevant COVID-19 advice and guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
