Record Covid surge in Scotland as inquiry set to scrutinise Nicola Sturgeon's pandemic response

Scotland has recorded its highest ever number of new daily coronavirus infections, on the day Nicola Sturgeon announced a public inquiry would be held to scrutinise her government's response to the pandemic.

Covid-19 cases have "more than doubled over the past week" Ms Sturgeon said, which is "one of the sharpest rises" experienced during the whole pandemic.

She added: "As a result of that, new cases are now slightly higher than the very high levels we saw in early July.

"In fact, today’s daily figure is the largest we have ever recorded in a single day."

A further 10 coronavirus-linked deaths were recorded in Scotland in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday, and 4,323 more cases were confirmed.

The first minister said she could reimpose coronavirus restrictions if the rise in cases does not slow.

"If this surge continues, and if it accelerates, and if we start to see evidence of a substantial increase in serious illness as a result, we cannot completely rule out having to reimpose some restrictions."

Ms Sturgeon said the surge should be taken in context, pointing to significantly higher testing rates than earlier in the pandemic, and vaccinations which are keeping deaths low even when cases rise.

But she added: "The scale of the increase is still a cause of real concern, although again context is important."

Moments earlier she announced that her government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic is set to be investigated by a judge-led public inquiry.

Ms Sturgeon said a consultation will take place from now until the end of September, with the intention that the inquiry will begin before the end of this year.

She said the inquiry, which will take evidence from bereaved families, will seek to "identify lessons and recommendations" from what was successful in the fight against the pandemic and what was not.

It will be established "to scrutinise decisions taken in the course of this pandemic, and learn lessons for future pandemics", Ms Sturgeon said.

Particular consideration will be given to the "four harms" of the pandemic, which the government says are:

• direct health impacts of Covid-19, including cases and deaths in care homes

• other non-Covid health impacts

• societal impacts, including education

• economic impacts

A judge will be appointed to chair the inquiry, ensuring "a person-centred, human rights based approach with a focus on outcomes and timely reporting to identify lessons and recommendations".

The announcement comes on the day Scotland's deputy first minister John Swinney meets bereaved families who have been calling for an inquiry.

When the SNP won office in May it said it would set up a coronavirus public inquiry in the first hundred days of re-election.

The first stage will see Scots encouraged to share their ideas and comments on the suggested approach via email by September 30.

Mr Swinney, who is also Scotland's Covid recovery secretary, said: “We will continue to listen to those affected by Covid-19, including bereaved families, on what they wish the public inquiry to focus on.

"Their feedback will be fundamental in reviewing the suggested approach set out here, and setting the terms of reference for an independent Scottish inquiry.

“Discussions are also ongoing with the UK government on the planned four nations inquiry, to ensure all areas that need to be considered are covered in a way that gives confidence to bereaved families and others.”

Anyone wishing to share their ideas about the forthcoming inquiry should send submissions to: Covid-19publicinquirysetupteam@gov.scot