SHUTDOWN ‘BATTLE PLAN’
THE Health Secretary has not ruled out shutting down cities if the coronavirus outbreak escalates as he outlined a new “battle plan” by the Government. Matt Hancock said despite a “huge economic and social downside”, following China’s lead and isolating UK cities if the situation worsens remains on the table. He conceded it was “inevitable” that the deadly virus would continue to spread after three new cases were identified in the UK, including a staff member at an infant school. On isolating entire cities, Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme that “population distancing measures”, such as banning public gatherings and cancelling football matches, could also be considered by the Government, while closing schools may be “necessary”.
A SOLICITOR was booted out of the State Hospital after staff overheard her saying her husband was feared to have coronavirus.
Cheryl Ferguson, who works for Black and Markie solicitors in Dunfermline, was told to leave Carstairs on Wednesday.
Sources at the State Hospital said Cheryl had been told not to go into her office at work so instead decided to visit clients.
The solicitor, from Edinburgh, wrote on Twitter: “So hubby has been to northern Italy. He has some symptoms and been told to self-isolate. This is a logistical nightmare for us but you know, needs must. Today I was booted out of the State Hospital mid-consultation with a client cos I was overheard discussing him.”
A source at Carstairs said: “None of us could believe the sheer stupidity of a supposedly intelligent person blindly going about visiting people despite the fact she was in contact with someone in isolation for the very virus that is likely to become a pandemic.”
Mark Richards, the hospital’s director of nursing, said yesterday it was receiving “regular updates from Health Protection Scotland with regard to managing any risks posed by Covid-19”.
The Record was unable to