Two More Test Positive for Coronavirus in Scotland, UK Total Now 53

The number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in Scotland has risen to three.

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 53 – up from 39 since Monday.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she could not say yet if the new cases of Covid-19 were linked to the first one north of the border, in Tayside.

Officials were informed of the new cases overnight, Ms Freeman said.

Freeman told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “There are a number of steps that we need to go through with the patients concerned and other matters before we can release any level of information, partly it’s about patient confidentiality, partly it’s about making sure that we get the right clinical responses to cases.

“So later in the day, we will be able to let you and others know, but at this point all I can confirm is that we have two more cases, bringing the total to three.”

The first case of coronavirus in Scotland was confirmed on Monday.

It is understood that the person tested positive after returning from abroad.

The country’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said that a ‘very detailed history’ would be taken of anyone the patient had close contact with.

The UK government has warned that up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick at the same time, sparking a number of emergency measures in the case of that happening.

The battle plan against coronavirus includes drafting in the army to help emergency services and calling in retired NHS staff for medical assistance.

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Written by

George Day

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