Scotland’s record Covid infection levels and the rising numbers it has put in hospital are being “scrutinised”, the chief medical officer has said.
Professor Sir Gregor Smith warned there was “no room for complacency” after new data showed that an estimated one in 18 Scots had the virus in the first week of March.
The most recent daily figures showed 1663 people were in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, the highest for 13 months.
Smith tweeted that hospital occupancy is increasing, especially in over-60s, adding: “Some of this is direct Covid-19 disease, some reflects background rates community transmission and some due to longer lengths of stay.
“All contribute to increased healthcare pressures.
“However, admissions have not risen as sharply as occupancy and we’re not seeing same volume of severe disease as before – ICU (intensive care) admissions are v low & stable.
“At this point, this is very encouraging and there is no signal on excess deaths data.
“This is all scrutinised intensely.”
The senior medic explained that Covid rates were “increasing across all age groups”, with this driven by rising numbers of the Omicron BA.2 sub-type, which is overtaking BA.1 as the dominant strain across the UK.
Smith added there was “no evidence” this variant was associated with more severe disease than previous forms of the virus.
Omicron BA.2, dubbed “Stealth Omicron”, does not appear to be any more dangerous, according to available evidence.
Vaccines appear to be mostly holding out against it, although there has been a rise in the number of older people who end up in hospital, which is thought to reflect a dip in immunity because they had their boosters earlier than the rest of the population.
Experts believe BA.2 may be even more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, which could be behind the rise in cases.
The BA.2 sub-type has so far been found in 40 countries, with Denmark seeing the biggest rise in cases.
It’s not clear where BA.2 first emerged although it was detected first in the Philippines.
Symptoms include a scratchy throat, dry cough, night sweats, fatigue and mild muscle aches.
Fewer sufferers of Omicron reported a loss of smell or taste compared with those who had the Delta variant.
Smith said the relationship with Covid “is changing”, adding: “By acting together, for each other, when cases are extremely high we can help contain further spread.
“Simple steps, such as avoiding overcrowded indoor spaces, wearing face coverings and good hygiene measures … make a difference. It doesn’t need to stop us enjoying life.”
He also conceded there were “immense” pressures on NHS staff.
His comments came as bosses at NHS Lanarkshire said hospitals there were “working beyond maximum capacity”.
The health board has reintroduced essential visiting only at its hospitals, with people being urged to stay away from accident and emergency, where many patients are waiting more than 10 hours.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm on Tuesday if a further easing of Covid restrictions, which is due to take place on March 21, will go ahead.
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