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Coronavirus cannot be contained for 'much longer' Coronavirus cannot be contained for 'much longer'
(about 1 hour later)
People in Scotland should prepare for major changes to their lives as the response to the coronavirus is stepped up, the Scottish secretary has warned.People in Scotland should prepare for major changes to their lives as the response to the coronavirus is stepped up, the Scottish secretary has warned.
Alister Jack said it would not be possible to contain the virus for "very much longer".Alister Jack said it would not be possible to contain the virus for "very much longer".
The first case of coronavirus transmitted within the community was detected in Scotland on Wednesday.The first case of coronavirus transmitted within the community was detected in Scotland on Wednesday.
There are 36 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, according to Scottish government figures.There are 36 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, according to Scottish government figures.
The UK government is expected to announce later that it is stepping up its response to the spread of the coronavirus.The UK government is expected to announce later that it is stepping up its response to the spread of the coronavirus.
It is anticipated the UK will switch to tactics aimed at delaying its spread, rather than containing it, when the government's emergency committee meets.It is anticipated the UK will switch to tactics aimed at delaying its spread, rather than containing it, when the government's emergency committee meets.
There are now 460 confirmed cases in the UK and eight people have died.There are now 460 confirmed cases in the UK and eight people have died.
Mr Jack told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There is no doubt that we are not going to be able to contain it for very much longer. So we will then have to delay it so that the peak isn't so great.Mr Jack told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There is no doubt that we are not going to be able to contain it for very much longer. So we will then have to delay it so that the peak isn't so great.
"If you flatten it down, if we make it that the curve stretches longer, it puts less pressure on the NHS.""If you flatten it down, if we make it that the curve stretches longer, it puts less pressure on the NHS."
Asked if people in Scotland are going to have to prepare for major changes to their lives in the coming days, Mr Jack answered: "Yes, I'm afraid they are."Asked if people in Scotland are going to have to prepare for major changes to their lives in the coming days, Mr Jack answered: "Yes, I'm afraid they are."
The Scottish government confirmed on Wednesday that one of the latest cases in Scotland could not be traced to people who had travelled to affected areas such as northern Italy,The Scottish government confirmed on Wednesday that one of the latest cases in Scotland could not be traced to people who had travelled to affected areas such as northern Italy,
The global outbreak has now been labelled as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.The global outbreak has now been labelled as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
How is coronavirus affecting Scotland?
There has been a co-ordinated "four nations" response to the spread of the virus in the UK.
Scotland's national clinical director, Jason Leitch, has defended the approach taken so far, saying that the UK authorities had not been "complacent".
In a tweet, he wrote: "For those in equal number suggesting we're overreacting and not acting fast enough we are doing neither.
"The balance of which population interventions and their timing is crucial. We are not complacent."
However, several GPs have contacted BBC Scotland to say that they have still not been issued with the correct protective equipment recommended for health workers who come into contact with patients showing coronavirus symptoms.
The equipment includes fluid resistant surgical masks, gloves, aprons and eye protection.
Ms Freeman said all health boards in Scotland had been asked to issue GPs with protective equipment and she would investigate any individual cases reported to her.