Though testing in Scotland has started to climb away from levels in the other 3 nations, the reported infection level per capita (below) is only half of that in England and only one-third of that in Northern Ireland, suggesting a very low underlying level.
While the infection level is also low in Wales, the much lower testing level there may conceal the true scale.
Not clear from the above one-day figures is the huge scale of infection building up in England where the 7 day average has been above 1 000 for two weeks now, on top of around 700 for the previous two.
While the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 gape open-mouthed at the horrors of Trump’s USA, they might want check their own backyard more often.
And, just over the border, some of our opposition politicians might want to reconsider their horror at the idea any border checks in Scotland.
In Germany, the USA and in Australia, border checks are non-controversial with infection level differences of a similar proportion.
Again comparisons are difficult. The WHO recommends percent positive cases in new people tested (called positivity) .
Only Scotland gives this statistic.
The UK new tests may include people previously tested on a regular basis e.g. care workers.
In Scotland there were (7 day average) ~ 18,000 new tests at 27 Aug but only (7 day average ) ~ 9,000 were on new people.
Assuming this ratio is same forEngland(??) then England 7 day average tests positive 67% should be multiplied by 2 to get a percent new people positive estimate. of 1.3%.
Scotland’s 7 day average is 0.9% so England rate ~ 1.45 times Scotland’s. even during a bad 7 days in Scotland and not including the uptick in UK cases on 27 Aug.
The WHO says less than 5% positivity is required to avoid lockdown but rise in cases of ~50% in one day in UK is worrying
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