New Scottish expert group to study spread of COVID-19 

A new expert group providing additional scientific analysis of the impact of COVID-19 in Scotland has been announced by the First Minister. As the number of cases increases, the Scottish Government convened the group to obtain ‘the fullest possible understanding of exactly how COVID-19 is spreading in Scotland’. Professor Andrew Morris, Professor of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and Director of Health Data Research UK, will chair the Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group. He will be supported by vice chair, Professor David Crossman, Dean of Medicine at the University of St Andrews and Chief Scientific Advisor for Health at the Scottish Government. The group will supplement the advice coming to the four nations from the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) to further strengthen Scottish Government modelling work informing national and local decisions in Scotland during the pandemic. Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “We are facing an unprecedented situation and it’s crucial we not only follow the latest scientific advice coming from SAGE, but establish what that means here in Scotland on a local level. “It’s vital that we are well equipped to deal with all possibilities as this outbreak grows globally and this advisory group will play a key role in developing our understanding of the virus and its impact on Scotland.”