One in 11 Scots 'may have had Covid-19 last week' researchers find

Research has indicated that about one in 11 people north of the border could have had covid last week - the highest proportion ever.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the proportion of people with the virus increased in Scotland in the week ending March 20.It estimated that 473,800 people were infected then – with this equating to about one in 11 people.The figures were released after a second Scottish health board urged people not to come to accident and emergency unless their condition is either urgent or life-threatening.After NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde issued such a plea earlier this week, bosses at NHS Lanarkshire said the virus meant hospitals are coming under “relentless” pressure.

On Thursday, Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, warned MSPs that modelling showed the rising numbers of Covid patients in hospitals could continue “over the next couple or few weeks” The dominance of the highly transmissible Omicron BA2 subvariant is the reason for this “unprecedented pressure” this brings, he said.NHS Lanarkshire said on Friday its three acute hospitals are operating beyond capacity, and the situation is not easing.Dr Jane Burns, the executive medical director, stated: “There are a number of reasons for the current relentless pressures on Lanarkshire hospitals but primarily it is the number of patients requiring treatment both with and without Covid.“Our three acute hospital sites are beyond full with capacity regularly over 100%.

This has been the case for a number of weeks and the situation is not easing.“In fact, this week hospitals across Scotland including Lanarkshire have seen a record number of Covid patients.”With coronavirus patients continuing to rise, Labour health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie,