Coronavirus (COVID-19) – update following resilience meetings

The First Minister has attended a UK Government’s COBR meeting and chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Committee (SGoRR) to discuss preparations for coronavirus (COVID-19) following confirmation of a first case in Scotland.

At the COBR meeting a four nations Action Plan to tackle the virus was agreed. This will be published in each area tomorrow with Scottish specific information made available alongside the four nations plan.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health will make a statement to Parliament tomorrow afternoon.

At SGoRR Ministers were updated on plans preparedness across all sectors in Scotland.

There have been a total of 815 negative test results in Scotland and one positive test result since the start of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

According to Scottish and UK protocol all patients presenting with a history and symptoms which may be suggestive of coronavirus will be isolated in hospital or at home and appropriate infection prevention and control measures put in place until tests are confirmed.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The patient who tested positive for COVID-19 is clinically well and is being treated in hospital. I would like to thank the NHS for its response and all of the health professionals involved in the patient’s care and treatment.

“Scotland has been planning for  coronavirus for some time. We expect a significant outbreak in the weeks to come but it is important to note that we are still in a containment phase of the virus. This is where we take all of the steps that we can to contain the infection and prevent it taking hold within the community.

"This phase is particularly important because there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for coronavirus. Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus – everyone can play their part 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."