FIRST SCOTS VIRUS DEATH

NHS on war footing ++ Operations cancelled and surgeries shut ++ Spike in infections ++ All Scottish football called off ++ Island schools close ++ Job fears over airline crisis ++

SCOTLAND’S NHS was put on a war footing yesterday as routine operations were cancelled after the country’s first death from coronavirus.

Health chiefs revealed surgeries were being postponed to free up vital staff and equipment for the seriously ill amid a spike in Covid-19 cases.

in a desperate effort to delay the virus’s spread, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde banned visitors from all intensive care units, emergency departments and neonatal units.

Close family are allowed to visit some wards, but may have to wear protective gear including masks, goggles, shoe covers and gowns.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman yesterday demanded detailed plans from the country’s 14 health boards to increase capacity in hospitals ahead of the expected explosion in cases. Growing numbers of GP surgeries

across Scotland have also switched to telephone appointments to limit person-to-person contact.

The escalation of special measures comes as an elderly patient with ‘underlying health conditions’ died after testing positive for the virus in NHS Lothian.

The number of cases in Scotland has risen to 85, with a further spike expected in the coming days.

Thousands of school pupils were told yesterday to remain at home next week and Scots universities are moving away from face-to-face teaching amid fears the virus could take hold on campuses.

A student at the University of St Andrews has tested positive for coronavirus after visiting Switzerland, the institution said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Scottish football season was suspended until further notice and the Wales v Scotland Six Nations match was postponed.

As global cases began to grow and ‘delay’ measures were ramped up:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Europe is now the ‘epicentre’ of the coronavirus pandemic;

Italy suffered a massive rise in deaths caused by coronavirus, with 250 recorded in just 24 hours – taking the total to 1,266;

Across the UK, 798 people have been diagnosed with the virus, with ten deaths south of the Border;

Local and mayoral elections in England, which were due to take place in May, have been called off;

The English Premier League has been postponed until April 3 at the earliest after players, managers and staff were forced to self-isolate.

The boss of British Airways said his airline was fighting for survival.

Scotland’s first COVID-19 death was confirmed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood.

She said: ‘I offer my deepest sympathy to their friends and family at this difficult time.

‘The patient, who was being treated by Lothian Health Board, was an older person who had underlying health conditions.’

Health chiefs apologised to affected patients whose planned procedures have been delayed indefinitely, but said the move was necessary to ensure they could ‘provide care to the sickest’.

NHS Borders has cancelled all non-urgent procedures scheduled for the coming week, while NHS Lothian has scrapped ‘a number’ of operations. Typical cases are hip and knee replacements.

Miss Freeman said: ‘With our focus very much on seeking to delay the spread to reduce the peak impact and protect the most vulnerable, planning around NHS capacity is vital.

‘We need to free up capacity in our hospital settings and increase, where we can, the capacity there and in the community. So over the next two to three weeks we will scale down non-urgent care so non-urgent procedures are postponed.

‘But patients have our assurance that all appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible. As we work to double our intensive care capacity, some lead time is needed to repurpose facilities and ensure staff receive the training they need.

‘In all of this work, our urgent and life-critical services such as cancer will be maintained.’

Meanwhile, thousands of children will be forced to stay at home as schools close amid growing fears.

Education chiefs announced that Lanark Grammar School has temporarily shut for deep cleaning after one diagnosis of COVID-19.

Children attending a number of schools and early learning centres across Shetland will also be asked to stay at home next week for what Shetland Islands Council said were ‘operational and resilience’ reasons.

Just three schools – Fair Isle Primary School, Fetlar Primary School and Foula Primary School – will be open.

Helen Budge, director of children’s services said: ‘We realise that this will have an impact on working parents and carers but hope that they will understand and support this decision.’

Yesterday, the Scottish Qualifications Authority issued a statement on coronavirus, warning it is preparing for disruption with just six weeks to go until exam season begins.

Highers and National Fives are scheduled from April 27 – when the virus is likely to be escalating – with around 133,000 pupils due to sit exams over five weeks.