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Rolling updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus advice
This page gives a rolling update on COVID-19 coronavirus. It will be kept up to date as much as possible.
Coronavirus in Scotland
There are now confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) across Scotland.
Health services are dealing with the outbreak, and we must play our own part to help prevent further spread by following the latest medical advice.
People have been advised to follow the public health advice for coronavirus, which is continuously updated and can be found on the NHS Inform website.
Health advice
Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test and should follow guidance on staying at home if unwell.
Testing remains available to specific groups in order to protect highest risk settings and support clinical care.
Stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as coronavirus and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities.
Symptoms of coronavirus, flu and common respiratory infections include:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that's unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
Speak to your GP if
- your symptoms worsen
- you're concerned about your symptoms
- you have symptoms that you can no longer manage at home
If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999.
Vaccination Programme
The coronavirus vaccine is free to everyone in Scotland. Do not share your bank details with anyone offering you the vaccine for a fee
NHS Scotland will follow the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice and vaccinate those most at risk first, and those who work closest with them. People aged 50 or over are most at risk, and the risk increases with age. All eligible age groups are now able to get their vaccine in Scotland.
You'll also be able to book a booster dose of either Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine any time at least 3 months (12 weeks) after your second dose.
You should not get the coronavirus vaccine if you've had a severe anaphylactic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine or a previous dose of the vaccine.
For more information, visit the NHSinform.scot COVID vaccine page.
High-risk groups
Some groups of people are considered to be at extremely high risk of severe illness with COVID-19. These people should follow the most up to date health advice.
People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:
- have had solid organ transplants
- have lung cancer and are receiving active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- have cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
- have severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma and severe COPD
- have rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections such as SCID and homozygous sickle cell
- have severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)
- are receiving immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- are receiving other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
- are receiving immunosuppression therapies that significantly increase risk of infection
- are pregnant with significant heart disease (congenital or acquired)
Please check the guidance on shielding for more information.
Should you require additional support, including with food deliveries, you can check the Scottish Government's shielding and support contacts guidance, or contact your local council.
Key documents and contacts
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