On 21 December 2022, there were only 8 Covid patients in ICU in Scotland but 174 in England, nearly twice as many per head of population. Even in Wales with a smaller population, there were more, 10.

Throughout November and December as Covid hospitalisations began to climb again, there had been 2 to 3 times as many, pro rata, in English Hospitals than in Scotland.

What was going on?

Scotland has an older population with historically worse health outcomes and life expectancy, yet fewer in ICU.

Could it be the effects of vaccine hesitancy amongst some ethnic groups? I can’t see regional data.

Could it be differences in Government messaging in terms of clarity and consistency?

Could it be differences in the quality of health services, more GPs per head in Scotland, in detecting and quickly treating to prevent cases worsening?

Source – The above data came from https://www.travellingtabby.com/uk-coronavirus-tracker/ on December 23 2022 but are no longer there. It may be possible to check them via AI but I trust my post then was transparent and honest. No one questioned the data then.