Government reveals two

● Moray school shuts down for a week with case believed to relate to a parent

There are now two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Highlands, the Scottish Government announced yesterday. Officials could not confirm yesterday how many cases are present in Moray, but a Forres school has been affected.

A notice on a door at Drumduan Steiner school indicated it had postponed its open day, due to be held on Saturday, and the school would be closed for a week due to a confirmed case of coronavirus.

The case is believed to relate to a parent of one of the school’s children and the notice says the school will review the situation this Friday.

No one from the school responded to The P&J’s request for comment yesterday.

NHS Highland has implemented restricted visiting across the region to reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus to patients and staff.

A spokesman said: “This is a measure that will be reviewed weekly.

“If your visit is essential, please contact the ward who will support you with arrangements.

“We are grateful to the public for their co-operation and understanding.

“If you are visiting the hospital, please ensure that you wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before you go on to the ward/department and as you leave the hospital.

“Please do not enter the hospital if you are unwell.”

NHS Grampian is maintaining its advice that those with concerning symptoms should stay at home and call their GP or NHS24.

Meanwhile Highland Council’s convener, Bill Lobban, yesterday circulated guidance to councillors

“If you are visiting the hospital, please ensure you wash your hands”

that at present all scheduled committee and regulatory meetings will go ahead as planned, with the situation under constant review.

Mr Lobban urged councillors to use Skype or video conferences wherever possible, and said any in a vulnerable group, or with family with health concerns, should “seriously consider whether or not their attendance in person is required”.

“Those who show any symptoms should follow government guidelines and must not attend any meeting in person,” he said.

Ness-side councillor Ron MacWilliam said he has decided to withdraw his children from school as of today, regardless of government guidance.

He has asked the council administration to put urgent home-working and remote working measures in place, and give guidance to council employees about when to self-isolate and about social distancing to try to reduce staff numbers in all buildings.

He said: “I suggest the council administration call an immediate meeting with elected members, community council reps, unions, community planning partners, resilience, other relevant officers and NHS Highland managers in order to formulate the Highland community response in these unprecedented circumstances. This can of course be organised remotely.”

Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “The council needs to respond to guidance from the Scottish and national governments and work with the community.

“There is work under way right now about community resilience, which needs to be done collectively and individually, and we will share this soon. We are waiting for further guidance about schools.”