Two new positive coronavirus cases confirmed in Lothian region as total in Scotland rises to 27

The Scottish Government published an update on the number of coronavirus cases and their locations at 2pm

The Scottish Government has confirmed two new positive coronavirus cases in the Lothian region – with a total of 27 cases now confirmed across Scotland.

The total new cases following Tuesday’s update stands at four in Scotland, with two in the Lothian region and two in the Grampian region.

The Scottish Government published an update on the number of cases and their locations at 2pm this afternoon, with Lothian now having seven confirmed cases in total.

A total of 2,207 tests were confirmed negative.

Coronavirus symptoms

Coronavirus is a respiratory disease which seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After a week it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment.

In more severe cases, coronavirus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, multiple organ failure and even death.

The Scottish Government published an update on the number of cases and their locations at 2pm

Those with weakened immune systems - older people and those with underlying health conditions like asthma or heart disease - are more likely to become severely ill.

The World Health Organisation says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.

As it's a new illness, it is unclear how exactly coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses are spread by droplets in coughs and sneezes.

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Protecting yourself against coronavirus

The Scottish Government website offers the following advice from NHS Inform to help reduce the risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections by:

- Avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Maintaining good hand hygiene - washing hands with soap and water or alcohol sanitiser: After coughing or sneezing; going to toilet; before eating and drinking.

- Avoiding direct contact with people that have respiratory illness and avoid using their personal items such as mobile phones.

- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and disposing of them in the nearest waste bin after use.

Anyone who thinks they may be affected by coronavirus should call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP or to A&E.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, there have been nearly 110,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide with over 3,800 deaths.

The outbreak originated in China's Hubei province in December before spreading globally.

Stockpiling

Pictures emerged on Friday of bare shelves in various supermarkets across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Eggs and UHT milk were among the products running low in Bathgate Tesco, while kitchen roll and toilet roll were low in Linlithgow Sainsbury’s and Comely Bank Waitrose.

Pharmacists across the city are also displaying signs stating they are sold out of hand sanitiser and face masks.

Hand sanitiser in Co-op in Lothian Road had also disappeared, with other retailers in the area – including Boots and Superdrug – also selling out last week.

Updated figures

Ayrshire and Arran – 1

Fife – 2

Forth Valley – 2

Grampian – 6

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 3

Lanarkshire – 3

Lothian – 7

Shetland – 2

Tayside – 1