A PERSON has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Scotland, it has been confirmed.
The patient, who has not been named, is a resident of the Tayside area and has recently travelled from Italy. They have been admitted to hospital and are receiving treatment in isolation
It means the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has leapt to 36, with 12 new patients were identified in England.
A statement from the Scottish Government reads: "Clinicians have already begun contact tracing, the process of gathering details of the places they have visited and the people they have been in contact with since returning to the UK.
READ MORE: Keep some perspective about the global death toll from coronavirus
"It is important to note that this does not involve people the patient may have passed on the street or in a shop as the risk in these situations is very low. Close contact involves either face to face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person."
A patient has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland: https://t.co/QF15XT1HcF pic.twitter.com/5xrOBNaoXa
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 1, 2020
Nicola Sturgeon has chaired a Scottish Government Resilience Committee meeting.
The First Minister will also take part in UK Government’s resilience (COBR) meeting this morning, which will be chaired by Prime Minister.
Sturgeon commented: "Our first thoughts must be with the patient diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a speedy recovery.
"Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus but there is currently no treatment or vaccine.
"Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
"People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing."
READ MORE: Why Scotland may have to take drastic action on coronavirus
There have been a total of 698 negative tests in Scotland since the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan, but further cases are expected, the Scottish Government said.
Health officials are to begin testing some people with flu-like symptoms for the virus even if they have not visited affected areas.
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: "Hospitals and GP surgeries will now conduct tests on some patients with coughs, fevers or shortness of breath – regardless of whether they have travelled to a place where the virus is known to be spreading.
"Not everyone with flu will be tested, but this is a sensible step to take as a precautionary measure to give us an early warning of community transmission."
The stepping up of the testing regime has been described as a precautionary measure.
Using existing NHS monitoring measures, a network of 41 GP practices will start sending samples for testing from patients who report symptoms such as coughs, fevers or shortness of breath.
In addition, pneumonia patients in critical care units will also be tested for the virus.
The Scottish Government has implemented a range of measures including training Scottish Ambulance Service staff to support the transport of patients who may be infectious, and has delivered face masks to GP practices as a precautionary measure.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel