Fife Council co-leader: 'Not a cat in hell's chance' of second wave of coronavirus in Scotland

Fife Council's co-leader has said ""there's not a cat in hell's chance at this moment " of a second wave of coronavirus hitting Scotland.

Councillor David Alexander (SNP), said: "There is absolutely no indication at all."

His comments came at the first meeting of the full council to be held since lockdown began in March.

Councillor Alexander said: "There is no indication of a second wave- none whatsoever in Scotland."

"There is absolutely no indication at all."

"We have had no deaths in a Fife care home since July. Where is the second wave? There is not a cat in hell's chance it's coming at this moment."

Fife health chief warns of of second COVID wave in winter

His comment was made in response to Cllr Tim Brett's approved amendment which urged Fife council leaders to write to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, asking for a "rapid inquiry" into Scotland's response to covid 19.

Cllr. Brett said: "The prospect of a second wave of a virus is real, and the Scottish Government should announce a rapid inquiry to learn lessons and help us plan for what may lie ahead.

"I'm asking that the co-leaders write to the First Minster requesting that this inquiry should be undertaken quickly."

Cllr Brett noted that Scotland has had one of the highest increases of excess deaths in Europe with a 5% increase in death between January and the end of May.

He also noted that there are nearly 2500 deaths in Scotland with over 200 in Fife and said: "it would be foolish to suggest that this is a good result."

Cllr Alexander said Cllr Brett's proposal was a "disgrace" and he did not agree with "newspaper headline" figures quoted by him.

In his opening remarks, the Co- leader of the council said: "The thought of going through another four months like the last four months is not an option.

"The pandemic has not gone away, but, at least in Fife, it has been suppressed and for it to stay that way we have to obey our rules. "

"We have to get Fife back to where it belong as quickly and as safely as possible and this report provides that groundwork."

But his denial of a possible second wave met with criticism.

Cllr Tony Miklinski said: "I'm just astounded at Councillor Alexander's assertion that there's no evidence of a second wave.

"There will be spikes. There already are spikes and some will turn into bigger spikes.

"Some areas will be locked down and we have absolutely no idea how the winter will affect us."

Steve Grimmond, chief executive, noted at the meeting that the council is "well-prepared" should there be another outbreak of Covid-19.

He said: "We certainly have plans for a second wave pandemic or if there are indeed more localised outbreaks as we have seen very recently in Aberdeen, the Borders and Lanarkshire in the last couple of weeks.

"We've considered the needs, if necessary, to close services in Fife such as education and reimpose any elements to lockdown so I think we are reasonably well- prepared for that."

> Hannah Brown is Local Democracy Reporter for Fife and Angus

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