Coronavirus in Scotland: Two patients who tested positive from Grampian and Ayrshire, Scottish Government confirms

Jeane Freeman earlier confirmed that two more patients have tested positive, taking the total in Scotland to three.

The Scottish Government have confirmed where in the country the two latest patients who tested positive for coronavirus have come from.

One patient is resident in the Grampian area, the second patient is resident in the Ayrshire area.

Both patients are currently clinically well and are receiving appropriate clinical care, the Government added, but due to patient confidentiality, they are unable to give any more details.

A mobile pop in testing centre for caronavirus has been set in Edinburgh's western general hospital.

The two further patients in Scotland that have tested positive for COVID-19 bring the total number of cases to three following the first case over the weekend.

One of the latest patients recently travelled to northern Italy and the other has had contact with a known positive case – this contact was not with the first positive case confirmed in Scotland.

Clinicians have begun contact tracing, the process of gathering details of the places they have visited and the people they have been in contact with. It is important to note that this tracing process does not involve people the patients may have passed on the street or in a shop – as the risk in these situations is very low. Close contact involves either face-to-face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person. Those at risk of infection will be contacted by health protection teams for further advice. Those who are not contacted are not at risk.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Our first thoughts must be with the patients diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a full and speedy recovery.

“We expect the number of cases to rise and Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus. There is currently no treatment or vaccine so early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

“People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “Firstly our thoughts are with those who have been diagnosed, and with their families.

“Scotland is well equipped to deal with infections of this kind. We have a proven track record of dealing with challenging health issues, and have been preparing for this possibility since the beginning of the outbreak.

“We practice and prepare our response to disease outbreaks and follow tried and tested procedures, following the highest safety standards possible for the protection of NHS staff, patients and the public.”