Covid cases have been surging among under-15s in Scotland even as they have been falling in other age groups, with first minister Nicola Sturgeon attributing this, at least partly, to schools’ return from the Christmas holidays.
Ms Sturgeon also said today that no changes would be made to Covid measures in schools, which means that rules around masks in secondary schools will remain for now.
Yesterday the Scottish Conservatives said that the government should “immediately” end the requirement for secondary school students to wear face coverings.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon said: “Although cases remain high, as in many countries around the world, the data from the past week paints another broadly positive picture.”
She added: “There have been significant reductions in every age group, except the under-15s. In this younger age group, cases have increased by 41 per cent.
Covid cases up 41 per cent among under-15s
“This will, at least to some extent, reflect the impact of the return to school. We will continue to monitor cases in this age group closely. We will also study the data carefully in coming days to see if the increase in cases amongst younger people is followed by any uptick in older age groups.”
Ms Sturgeon resisted pressure to change rules on face coverings in secondary schools, but revealed that the situation is being discussed in private today. She is due to make another Covid statement next Tuesday (1 February).
She said: “We are not, at this stage, recommending any immediate change to the Reducing Risks in Schools guidance. However, this is being kept under close and regular review for schools and the early learning and childcare sector.
“The [Covid] Advisory Sub-group on Education is meeting again today. We will consider carefully any recommendations it makes, and continue to seek its advice on issues such as groupings within schools, and the requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face coverings.”
Ms Sturgeon added: “On the issue of face coverings, I know young people want to see the back of them as soon as possible. But I also know that many young people understand and agree, especially when cases in the younger age group are rising, that face coverings do provide important protection.
“So this is a matter that requires and will receive careful consideration.”
The sharp rise in Covid cases among under-15s contrasted with trends in older age groups.
Ms Sturgeon said: “In the seven days prior to last Tuesday’s statement, almost 70,000 positive cases were identified through PCR and lateral-flow testing - just under 10,000 a day.
“In the most recent seven days, however, there have been just over 50,000 cases - slightly more than 7,000 a day. So reported cases have fallen by just over a quarter.”
