Killer virus warning
Scientist says Covid-19 is already in Scotland
Three more people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 23.
However, none of the cases so far – conf irmed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – have been detected in Scotland.
The nation’s top medical officer has warned it is “only a matter of time” until the virus, also known as COVID-19, is confirmed north of the Border.
So far, 630 Scots have been tested for the illness.
Two out of three of the UK’s most recent cases are patients who had recently returned from Italy.
The other involved someone who had come back from Asia.
The victims are from Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire.
One of the 23 cases includes a man in Surrey who is believed to be the first person to infected within the UK.
Health officials are trying to trace people who had contact with him.
Haslemere Health Centre, which he had attended with the symptoms, has now reopenedopened after “deep cleaning”.
He has been transferreded to a specialist NHS infection centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.
Meanwhile, health off icials in Scotland are to begin testingting people with f lu- l ike symptomsms for coronavirus even if they have not visited affected areas.as.
The move has been descr ibed as a precautionary measure.
But it is thought it couldld help detection if there is an outbreak in Scotland.
Using existing NHSS monitoring measures, a network of 41 GP practicess wi l l star t sending samples for testing from patients who report symptoms.
Pneumonia patients in critical care units will also be tested. ScotScotland’s chief medical offiofficer Dr Catherine CaldCalderwood said: “ScotScotland is well-preparedprepa for a signi f icant outbreakoutbr of coronavirus coron but there is currently cu non treatmentm or vaccine. v “Early detection dete measuresmeasu will be vital in helping to prevenprevent the spread of theth virus in the eventeve of an outbreak. outbreak “Hospitals Hos and GP surgeries will now conduct tests on some patients with coughs, fevers or shortness of breath – regardless of whether they have travelled to a place where the virus is known to be spreading.
“Not everyone with flu will be tested but this is a sensible step to take as a precautionary measure to give us an early warning of community transmission.
“People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak 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.”
The touching ban could even enter the world of sports with footbal l games – where players and managers traditional shake hands before and after games – affected.
Spurs striker Son Heung-min, 27, has self-isolated himself for two weeks after returning from South Korea.
The country has the highest number of cases outside of China with more than 3000 people diagnosed with Covid-19 and 17 victims dying.
Soldiers clad in protective gear were pictured spraying disinfectant as part of preventive measures at Dongdaegu railway station in the city of Daegu.
Authorities around the world are now in a frantic battle to try and stop the virus from developing an iron grip.
In Italy, Europe’s most affected country, five Serie A football matches have been postponed because of the virus this weekend.
The number of confirmed cases there has now climbed above 1000. And in
France, where the number of cases has risen to 72 including two deaths, authorities have announced all indoor gatherings of more than 5000 people have been banned.
The measures were announced after an emergency cabinet meeting also cancelled the Paris half- marathon, which was to be held today.
In the worst-hit area, north of Paris, all public gatherings have been also been prohibited.
US hea lth of f icia ls yesterday announced its first coronavirus death in King County, Washington state.
Governor Jay Inslee said in a statement: “It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
A total of 59 coronavirus victims have been confirmed in the US, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The global health body upgraded the risk of the outbreak to its highest level.
In Iran, one of the worst hit countries by the bug, the husband of jailed BritishIranian woman Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe claimed she had caught the virus.
But Richard Ratcliffe said staff had so far refused to test her at the Evin prison in Tehran.
Although there are no conf irmed cases at the prison, COVID-19 has spread rapidly across Iran – with at least 43 dead amid 593 patients identified.
Iranian authorities have been accused of covering up the real number of fatalities.
In an update issued through the Free Nazanin Campaign, Richard said his wife had seen “no improvement” and was suffering with a continual cold sweat and nausea. In a phone call with her family, Zaghari- Ratcliffe said: “For a long time this has not felt like a normal cold.
“These symptoms have lasted almost a week. I know I need to get medicine to get better. This does not go magically.”
Globally, more than 83,650 cases have been confirmed in more than 50 countries.
It was confirmed on Friday that an unnamed British man had become the first UK citizen to die from COVID-19.
He was infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and became the sixth to die from coronavirus on the boat.
The vast majority of infections and deaths are in China, where the virus originated late last year.
The National Health Commission reported yesterday reported 47 new deaths, bringing the number of fatalities nationwide to 2835.