Scotland ‘could be free of coronavirus by the end of summer’, say experts
Scotland could be be Covid-free in a matter of months, a leading expert has suggested.
A professor at Edinburgh University thinks the country is on track to eliminate the coronavirus by the end of the summer.
Prof Devi Sridhar believes Scotland will return to normal – if progress can be maintained.
The number of worldwide coronavirus cases has now passed 10 million since the start of the pandemic, new figures confirmed today.
But there were no confirmed deaths from the virus on Friday or Saturday north of the border, officials announced.
(Image: Scottish Government/AFP via Getty)
However, the biggest problem in keeping the current infection levels is an open border with England.
She told the BBC: “If Scotland was an island – like New Zealand – I would say going for zero cases would be completely feasible.
“I think Scotland is on track to eliminate coronavirus by the end of the summer by looking at the rate of the decrease in new cases.
(Image: Getty Images)
“But we are going to see little bumps, so it’s a question of how small can you keep those bumps.”
She added: “July is a crucial month for people to follow the rules and guidance, and be sensible because the virus is still around and can still increase quite fast within days and weeks.”
Prof Sridhar says – so far – talk of a so-called second wave has not materialised.
She added: “South Korea’s ‘second wave’ is 70 [new] cases which, for me, is like, ‘ok you’re in a pretty good position’.”
(Image: Getty Images)
But Britain faces the risk of a deadly second wave this winter and must prepare now to fight it, two of the government’s top scientific advisors warned.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, predicted a “true second wave will come in the winter months, in October, November.”
He warned the next three months are “absolutely critical” to prevent the “national catastrophe” that has killed more than 50,000 people repeating itself.
