How are the Covid levels decided?

The Scottish government has set out the "indicators" it will use when deciding which of the five levels of Covid restrictions each local authority
area will be allocated.

The indicators look at levels of infection and transmission as well as hospital capacity.

Number of cases
The first indicator is the number of cases per 100,000 people, including for particular age groups. This uses the latest actual data and
a two week forecast.

Orkney currently has no cases and the rate is low on Shetland and the Western Isles. Moray has a rate of just 15 per 100,000.

At the other end of the scale South Lanarkshire has a rate of 355, well above the threshold for level four. North Lanarkshire would also fall into
level four.

Positivity rates
This looks at the seven-day average of the number of positive tests in relation to all tests carried out over the past week.

Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian are all above the 10% threshold for level four.

The World Health Organisation set 5% as a level to cause concern.

Hospital capacity
Nationally, there are an estimated 2,000 hospital beds available.

The share in the Lanarkshire health board area is 242. The current six-week forecast is that NHS Lanarkshire could need 705 beds for Covid
patients.

In contrast, NHS Highland has 118 beds but will only need 26 on current projections.

The ICU capacity in Lanarkshire is 15 but that can be doubled to 30. The forecast demand in five weeks' time is 76.

Glasgow, which also has high transmission, can double ICU capacity to 76 and the forecast demand in five week is 77.

Fife, in contrast, can double capacity to 20 but is forecast to need eight.

There are still many things to follow here. : pgslot