Food agency bosses tight-lipped over employee possibly being infected

Bosses at Food Standards Scotland are refusing to confirm claims one of their employees was the first in the country to test positive for coronavirus.

The BBC reported yesterday that the individual at the centre of the Tayside case worked for the agency.

However a spokeswoman told The Courier: “We respect every patient’s right to confidentiality and would expect others to do the same.

“Food Standards Scotland’s role is to protect public health and that’s what we are continuing to do.”

Earlier in the day, it was confirmed two new coronavirus cases had been confirmed in Scotland, one in the Grampian area and another in Ayrshire, bringing the total to three.

Two Fife Council employees have taken the decision to self-isolate after travelling to regions affected by the coronavirus, it has emerged.

The local authority has established an incident management team (IMT) to monitor the situation and decide on any appropriate action, amid fears the outbreak could spread to parts of the kingdom.

Elsewhere in Courier Country, Angus Council’s top official has delivered an assurance to councillors over the “significant” resilience plans in place to deal with the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, Dundee University has said no students or staff have been in self-isolation or quarantine over the last two weeks.

A spokesman added: “We have had students and staff returning from various parts of the world who have been advised to follow all of the public health advice, which has been shared widely.

“We have been in contact with returning students and staff and where necessary they have taken the relevant steps such as informing NHS of any cold or flu-like symptoms.”

A GP surgery in Aberdeenshire has announced it is moving to an appointment-only service during the coronavirus outbreak.

Auchenblae Medical Practice confirmed on its Facebook page that it would no longer be operating an open surgery for a temporary period.

Scotland’s chief medical officer says there is “no scientific reason” to cancel the country’s Six Nation clashes with France this weekend.

The Scotland men’s side will face off against a grand slam-chasing France in Edinburgh on Sunday despite uncertainty surrounding the match.

And yesterday the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU)’s chief operating officer Dominic McKay said all of the country’s weekend fixtures will go ahead as planned.

The Scotland women will play France at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, tomorrow evening and on the same night, the under-20s will take on the French at Netherdale in Galashiels.

All three stadiums will offer primary care for anyone presenting themselves with symptoms of coronavirus.