First council workers believed to have contracted coronavirus in Edinburgh

Council-run Seafield waste depot is believed to have a back office colleague who has contracted the virus

The Evening News understands that a council worker is amongst those who have tested positive for coronavirus.

It believed that the individual works in a back office role at the council-run Seafield Household Waste Recycling Centre.

A source has told the Evening News that employees were advised of the case when they showed up to work at at 6am and the decision was made to send the back office staff home, however front line staff have been asked to continue to work and follow government guidelines should they feel symptoms of COVID-19.

An email also seen by the Evening News from council chief Andrew Kerr sent to all colleagues said: “Unfortunately, we’ve had our first confirmed case of Coronavirus in the Council. I’m sure you’ll understandI can’t go into specific details but we’re making sure our colleague is fully supported and I wish them a speedy and full recovery.

“I know this news may be concerning to you, but I want to reassure you that we’re following all the relevant protocols and guidance. We’re continuing to work closely with Health Protection Scotland, the Scottish Government and other agencies, to ensure we manage this situation as best we can.

“Please be assured that our main objective is to protect our colleagues, while ensuring we’re able to deliver our essential services as far as possible.”

To protect the identity of affected individuals the council would not comment on the individual cases.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: "We're continuing to work closely with the Scottish Government, Health Protection Scotland and other partners to ensure we manage this developing situation as effectively as possible.

“The UK has now moved to the 'Delay' phase which aims to delay the spread of the illness however the public should be prepared for more cases to be confirmed. New public protection measures announced yesterday included encouraging people who have coronavirus symptoms, however mild, to stay at home for at least seven days to protect others.

"We want to reassure residents that our robust resilience procedures are being closely followed to ensure essential services continue to be delivered.

“Yesterday an immediate allocation of £2m to reinforce the proactive and preventative steps we'll need to take with a focus on minimising the impact of the virus on our communities and Council services was announced, with a particular emphasis on health and social care.”

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson added: “Council employees that need to self-isolate will be granted paid special leave and, where possible, will work from home.

“Where a colleague has a positive diagnosis they will receive full sick pay. Where a colleague needs to be away from work because their care arrangements have broken down, for example through a school closure, then these employees be granted fully paid special leave, and will be asked, where possible, to work from home.”