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Coronavirus: Mass events ban as Scottish virus cases spike Coronavirus: Mass events ban as Scottish virus cases spike
(32 minutes later)
Gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week, the Scottish government is advising. Gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week, the Scottish government has advised.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this was to free up emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, to deal with coronavirus. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this was to free up emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
She said it was not necessary to close schools and universities yet, but added that would remain under review. She said it was not yet necessary to close schools and universities, but all overseas school trips are cancelled.
There have now been 60 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Scotland - a rise of 24 from Wednesday.There have now been 60 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Scotland - a rise of 24 from Wednesday.
NHS Lothian has the highest number of cases with 11. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has 10.NHS Lothian has the highest number of cases with 11. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has 10.
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.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed that the UK had now entered the delay phase of controlling the coronavirus which would mean a change in guidance. Ms Sturgeon confirmed the UK had now entered the delay phase of controlling the coronavirus which would mean a change in guidance.
From Friday, people with coronavirus symptoms should stay at home for a period of seven days. They should not call their GP or NHS 24 unless their condition deteriorates.From Friday, people with coronavirus symptoms should stay at home for a period of seven days. They should not call their GP or NHS 24 unless their condition deteriorates.
Earlier during First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon said the scientific advice suggested that cancelling mass gatherings "will not in itself have a significant impact on reducing the spread of the virus". The first minister said the advice on mass gatherings was a Scottish government decision designed to reduce the impact on the emergency services, rather then preventing the spread of the virus.
However, she explained the primary reason for the move was to reduce pressure on frontline workers. "We know that certain events have an impact on our policing and frontline health services," she said.
Ms Sturgeon said: "The view that the health secretary and I have come to is that there are wider issues to take account of here. "Our health services in particular will be under acute pressure in the weeks and months to come. I think it is incumbent on the government to do what we can to remove unnecessary burdens on our public services."
"Mass gatherings require to be policed, they require to have emergency ambulance cover, they require the services of voluntary health services. Ms Sturgeon said she also wanted to send a clear message that the outbreak should not be treated as "business as usual".
"At a time when we need to be reducing the pressures on these frontline workers - in order to free them up to focus on the significant challenge that lies ahead - I do think it's inappropriate that we continue as normal." Another new measure announced by the first minister was the cancellation of all school trips.
In a briefing later on Thursday, the first minister announced that overseas school trips will be cancelled. But she said that schools, colleges and universities would remain open as their closure would have a "very direct affect on the ability to keep key workers at work".
She said that schools, colleges and universities would remain open because their closure would have a "very direct affect on ability to keep key workers at work". There are also concerns that young people would instead gather in informal settings where the risk of spreading the virus was higher.
There are also concerns that young people would instead gather in informal setting where the risk of spreading the virus is higher.
Ms Sturgeon said "complex judgements" needed to be made around school closures as they could potentially last until the end of the summer term.Ms Sturgeon said "complex judgements" needed to be made around school closures as they could potentially last until the end of the summer term.
"If it gets to a stage where the advice is to close schools, this will not be for a week or two weeks," she said."If it gets to a stage where the advice is to close schools, this will not be for a week or two weeks," she said.
"This would be something that was advised to last throughout the peak of this infection and that is potentially until the summer period.""This would be something that was advised to last throughout the peak of this infection and that is potentially until the summer period."
The matter would be kept under "very close" review, she added.
Keep up to date on what is happening around the country
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.
There are 590 confirmed cases across the UK and 10 people have died - all of them in English hospitals.There are 590 confirmed cases across the UK and 10 people have died - all of them in English hospitals.
Scotland's national clinical director, Jason Leitch, has defended the approach taken so far, saying that the UK authorities had not been "complacent".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.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.""The balance of which population interventions and their timing is crucial. We are not complacent."
How is coronavirus affecting Scotland?
Keep up to date on what is happening around the country
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.
Health Secretary Jeane 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.