Schools in Scotland may have to close if Covid cases continue to rise warns teaching union

Jeane Freeman said the NHS in Scotland is ready to start distributing the first vaccine, developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech, as soon as approval is granted. UK approval of the first vaccine by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is due on Monday, December 7, with jabs being delivered immediately.

infections, with 1,125 people currently in hospital and 90 being treated in intensive care for Covid-19. It comes as the four UK nations agreed a plan for the festive period.Christmas gatherings will be set at eight people over 12 years old in Scotland - and households should stay two metres apart indoors, according to new official guidance.

Covid-19 risk in level 4 schools, a major survey by Scotland’s largest teaching union has revealed. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) discovered the views of teaching staff on virus safety in schools over the past week with many raising major concerns over the risk to the health of staff and pupils.

teachers across the country showed most wanted a return to "blended" or remote learning in regions covered by level three and four restrictions. It comes after Glasgow and 10 other neighbouring councils were put in the top tier of lockdown but schools were kept open.

Derek McInnes has blasted the SFA’s Covid protocols after three of his players were forced into self isolation after returning from Under-21 duty. Aberdeen have been rocked by the news that Ross McCrorie, Lewis Ferguson and Connor McLennan will miss the next three games after being caught up in the Scotland Under-21s Covid outbreak.

Covid-19 researchers - predicts red zones of infection across Scotland.It means that those areas are projected to have the country’s highest infection levels on December 6th.Imperial College London's research and interactive map also suggests infection rates will remain alarmingly high in many parts of Scotland.It shows that 13 authority areas have a 75%-100% chance of being a hotspot next month.Researchers from Imperial College London define a hotspot as a local authority where there are more

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted the benefits of schools staying open “outweigh” their impact on the spread of coronavirus.The First Minister outlined the details of a new report from Public Health Scotland, which found three-quarters of all schools did not report a single case of Covid-19 in the first nine weeks of this term.In total, 1,621 pupils tested positive for the virus during that period, the equivalent of 0.2% of the total cohort.Scotland's largest teaching union has already threatened

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,

schools are a “hotbed” of covid infections amid growing concerns over safety in the classroom.In a letter to the Daily Record, she said pubs and restaurants have been blamed for coronavirus levels while claiming schools are in the “elephant” in the room.Her plea came as figures showed nearly 30,000 pupils were off school because of covid-related reasons.Education Secretary John Swinney originally planned for a mix of home and school-based learning, but a backlash forced Ministers into supporting

flood warnings have been issued for Scotland after heavy rain battered large parts of the country last night. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has handed out 26 warnings for potential floods.

Tom Rogic's "outstanding" form since his reintroduction to the Parkhead fold. The Australian midfielder reminded fans what he can do in an impressive cameo against AC Milan before making his first start of the season in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at the start of this month.

coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the Scottish Government has confirmed.The latest figures show there were 1,357 new Covid-19 cases recorded overnight, bringing the total number of positive cases to 79,017 since the pandemic began.Leading today's briefing, deputy First Minister John Swinney said Scotland's death toll now sits at 3,244.According to the data, 1,228 people are currently being treated in hospital with 96 in intensive care.It comes as three parts of Scotland officially

Scotland U-21 comeback. The Chelsea midfielder was on the pitch for just nine minutes before being shown a straight red in the U-21 Euro qualifier against Croatia.

coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the Scottish Government has confirmed. The latest figures show there were 1,212 new Covid-19 cases recorded overnight, bringing the total number of positive cases to 77,660 since the pandemic began.

Remembrance Sunday. The donation, described as "significant and meaningful" is made every year and will go toward the charity 's education project.

Scottish Government has announced. The new travel requirements will come into force from 4am on Saturday November 7.

coronavirus infections remain high and hospitals face intense pressure.The admission follows alarm from front-line health staff about the impact of Covid in hospitals.Scotland is covered by a patchwork of area restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19, and Sturgeon is still prepared to put the whole country in tighter lockdown.