How many cases of coronavirus have there been in Scotland?
There have been 23 cases so far in Scotland, with cases in the Tayside, Ayrshire and Arran, Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grampian, Fife, Lothian and Lanarkshire NHS board areas.
It emerged today that one person at the University of the West of Scotland’s Lanarkshire campus, in Hamilton, has tested positive for coronavirus. However, all campuses at UWS - one of the Scottish universities that trains teachers - remain open and students and staff have been asked to attend as normal.
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Has there been a case in a Scottish school?
No. First minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that school closures “could be considered”, but no decisions have been taken.
What is the latest advice to schools?
Advice for schools has been published by Health Protection Scotland.
It says that if a school has a suspected case, it should call the GP or NHS 24 (111) or 999 in an emergency (if someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk), and explain the possibility of exposure to coronavirus in the past 14 days.
While waiting for advice or an ambulance, the guidance recommends finding somewhere safe for the unwell person to sit that is at least two metres away from other people.
“If possible, find a room or area where they can be isolated behind a shut door, such as a staff office,” it states.
The unwell person should avoid touching people, surfaces and objects and be advised to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in the bin, the guidance adds.
Would a school with a suspected case have to close?
At the moment, the advice states there is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home while laboratory test results are awaited. If someone does test positive, the local health protection team will identify people who have been in contact with them and advise on any action or precautions that should be taken.
Could all schools be asked to close?
A petition calling on the UK government to urgently consider closing schools as a result of the coronavirus has attracted enough support to prompt a debate in Parliament.
In Italy - which has the highest number of infections outside of China, where the virus originated - the government has ordered the closure of all schools and universities nationwide until 15 March. Iran has also decided to shut its schools for at least two weeks as the country struggles to delay the spread of the virus.
How can schools help prevent the spread of coronavirus?
The main advice centres around catching coughs and sneezes in tissues, disposing of them then washing hands. Regular handwashing is also recommended. Children, pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
- before leaving home
- on arrival at school/setting
- after using the toilet
- after breaks and sporting activities
- before food preparation
- before eating any food, including snacks
- before leaving school/setting
The exams are coming up - are they likely to be disrupted?
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) says it is continuing to monitor the situation but at the moment there is no change to the published National Qualifications 2020 examination timetable - the first exams are due to take place on Monday 27 April - and that everything “remains on track”.
“Current deadlines for coursework, and other assessments, remain in place,” says the SQA.
