London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Sixty new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Scotland

Sixty new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Scotland

Another 60 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Scotland, including 39 in the NHS Grampian area.

A cluster of linked cases was discovered in Aberdeen last week, leading to lockdown restrictions being reintroduced in the city.

Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch said 110 cases had been linked to the Aberdeen outbreak, with more expected to be confirmed.

Almost 650 "close contacts" from the infections are being investigated.

The positive cases include two players at Aberdeen FC.

The players were among a group of eight footballers who visited a bar in the city a week ago. The whole group are now self-isolating.

Mr Leitch told BBC Scotland that the increase of 60 cases was "not unexpected" but "still worries us".

He said it was difficult to be sure how many of the 39 new cases in NHS Grampian were linked to the Aberdeen cluster.

"We know that at 15:30 yesterday we had 110 cases connected to this outbreak," he said.

"We allow test and protect to do its work, rather than be constantly sending us hourly updates and that's the way it should be. I would expect a number of those positives to be connected."




Mr Leitch said the Scottish government was working to prevent community transmission outside the Aberdeen outbreak.

"We want to find each of these cases, break the chain, self-isolate the people so that we can get those numbers down again and Grampian can go back to normal - or semi-normal - like the rest of the country," he told the BBC.

But the clinical director added that the effects of the local lockdown in Aberdeen may not be seen for "days, even weeks".

Aberdeen has seen a total of 112 new coronavirus cases in the seven days up to 7 August - a rate of 49 infections per 100,000 people.

This compares to a rate of 80.6 in Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire, which is currently top of Public Health England's local authority watchlist.

NHS Grampian said it was investigating 643 "close contacts" from cases in the area.

Susan Webb, director of public health for NHS Grampian, said: "There has been a substantial rise in the number of close contacts which is not entirely unexpected.

"We speak to detected cases more than once, as we know they will recall different details as they reflect on what they have been doing and where, and who they have met."

Ms Webb said people who developed any of the recognised symptoms of Covid-19 should isolate at home and arrange a test.



A picture taken at the weekend showed people queuing outside the Soul bar in Aberdeen



On Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "unacceptable" the Aberdeen footballers had gone to the Soul Bar last Saturday.

Images were shared on social media showing queues of people gathered outside the bar, which is one of about 30 venues now linked to the cluster.

The players concerned have now released a statement apologising for their actions, saying they never "could have foreseen the escalation of Covid-19 cases in the Grampian area".

They also deny deliberately attempting to "flaunt or disobey government guidelines".

"As a player group, we once again apologise unreservedly to the fans, the manager, the board and all the staff at the club," the statement adds.

The lockdown restrictions which have been reintroduced for the city's 228,000 residents include:

* not to travel more than five miles for leisure or holidays
* not to travel to the city for leisure or to visit friends and family, even if you live in Aberdeenshire
* if you are currently visiting the city, you can stay - but take necessary precautions when returning home
* no indoor visits with other households
* bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs must close, although takeaways can remain open.

The restrictions will be reviewed next Wednesday and may be extended further if required.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×