Scottish Labour has today sounded the alarm as statistics have revealed that case numbers are still shockingly high, after a rapid rise in recent months.

Statistics from public health information has revealed that there is still a high level of covid-19 circulating in communities with an daily average of 2206.9 cases recorded in the week ending 17 October.

Although the number of cases is lower than was recorded in September, current rates are still higher than the 1375.7 average daily cases recorded only 12 weeks prior (week ending 15 July) and over 1,000 more daily cases compared to this time last year.

The statistics have also shown a rapid rise in the number of recorded deaths from Covid-19, with 46 weekly deaths recorded in the week starting 26 July compared to as many as 139 weekly deaths by the middle of October.

This warning comes as concerns have been raised over the sluggish roll-out of the booster vaccine programme, including incidences of the elderly and vulnerable being asked to travel tens of miles for vaccination due to the closure of local centres.

In some cases, older people are having to wait beyond the 6 month interval for their booster putting them in danger of contracting Covid as they have less protection.

Commenting, Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: 

“It is clear now that case numbers remain at a worrying level across Scotland and that more lives are being lost.

“Despite this, the SNP government continues to keep its head in the sand and pretend that everything is going to plan.

“We know that vaccination is key to tackling this pandemic. But in the face of rising cases, we are seeing a sluggish roll-out of the booster programme.

“Enough is enough. We need the SNP government to end the complacency and take action now to ramp up the programme to keep people safe.”