Virus home test team to be ready next week
NHSTayside confirms plans to fight coronavirus
Perth and Kinross residents suspected of having coronavirus could be tested from home next week.
NHS Tayside confirmed yesterday it was in the process of setting up community home testing procedures.
Other health boards across Scotland have already set their’s up, with Tayside now set to follow as the world battles against the outbreak of COVID-19.
Speaking yesterday, Professor Peter Stonebridge, NHS Tayside medical director, told the PA: “We have well-rehearsed procedures in place to deal with the coronavirus, with these having been developed to deal with any such communicable virus.
“As with other health boards, NHS Tayside has plans in place to implement community home testing for those people who have been identified as being at risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) which will enable healthcare staff to carry out testing in people’s homes to avoid the need for them to travel to healthcare premises.
“This is due to start next week.”
Meanwhile, major events such as the Perth Races and Perth Festival of the Arts are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Reflecting on the annual Perth Festival in April, Hazel Peplinksi, chief executive at Perth Racecourse, said: “As with all venues across the UK, we are taking the threat of coronavirus (Covid 19) very seriously.
“We are following guidance from the Scottish Government and NHS and our staff are well informed of the symptoms.
“The health and safety of our staff, contractors and visitors is our priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.
“We are also taking guidance from The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Racecourse Association (RCA) to ensure appropriate safety measures are taken.
“At this time, our preparations for the annual Perth Festival in April and the rest of our racing programme are continuing as normal.
“As the situation is evolving daily, we will ensure that all information regarding our upcoming fixtures is up to date on our website.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and issue further guidance to our team and customers as appropriate.”
May’s Perth Festival of the Arts is planning to bring international musicians to Perth, from Jools Holland to Nicola Benedetti.
There is potential for the event to be affected if there is a public unwillingness to pay to be part of a giant audience, while the government has not ruled out restrictions on gatherings.
PFA administrator Helen MacKinnon said: “The festival doesn’t go on sale for a few weeks yet, so I’m afraid we can’t comment on tickets.
“It’s a dynamic situation, but it’s very much ‘business as usual’ for us and we’re planning for another busy and successful festival with our full range of events.”
As of yesterday, Scotland had six confirmed cases of COVID-19, with experts warning that number will inevitably grow.
Italy, where the most cases in Europe are known to be, has sent school children and university students home for a two-week break and there is talk of closing theatres in an attempt to slow the spread of the epidemic.
Travellers pulling out of trips by air have led to the collapse of airline Flybe, and there are calls for the Olympics to be put back till the autumn.