Man from Heriot-watt university undergoing tests for deadly coronavirus

A MAN who is a member of the university community at Heriotwatt University is being tested for coronavirus, it emerged last night.

In a statement posted on Twitter, university officials confirmed the man, who has not been identified, is undergoing tests and they are “taking extra care to ensure the safety of the individual and the entire campus community.”

Earlier on Thursday, staff sent an email to all of its students based on the Edinburgh campus informing them that the person concerned was being kept in isolation and was being tested for the deadly virus as a “precautionary measure” but assured them that risk of infection “remains low”.

Ann Marie Dalton-pillay, secretary of the university, said: “A member of our University community at our Edinburgh Campus is in precautionary selfisolation while they await the results of a test for coronavirus.

“The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors is of paramount importance and I would like to offer reassurance that nothing has been confirmed at this time.

“The University remains open as usual and we will notify our students and staff of the outcome of the test once it is known. We are offering support and guidance to everyone in our Global Heriot-watt community and continue to monitor the situation here in Scotland closely with Health Protection Scotland who are managing the situation.”

The number of people tested for coronavirus in Scotland has risen to 148 but all have proved to be negative.

Figures published by the Scottish Government on Thursday showed there was an increase by 42 on the 106 who had been tested by Wednesday, which was up from 82 on Tuesday.

All tests from Scotland are now being processed at two laboratories, one in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Government said the new testing facilities, which launched on Monday, mean negative results can be returned quicker than previously when all samples were sent to London for screening.

Across the UK, 2,521 people have been tested for Covid-19 so far, with 2,512 confirmed as negative and nine positive.

The UK’S ninth case of the virus was confirmed in London on Wednesday.