Five things you need to know today
Olympicmania – Legionella update – Planning committee – Dirty streets – Edinburgh Arrow
Well Edinburgh welcomed the Olympic Torch Rely last night with gusto. Earlier in the afternoon, Lord Provost Donald Wilson had officially launched the Olympic Rings which are sitting on The Mound with the help of Alan Wells OBE who won an Olympic Gold Medal for the 100metres and a silver medal for the 200 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. We have several articles all with photos from around the Olympic Relay in and just outside Edinburgh from last night and this morning. We hope you like them. Edinburgh author Alexander McCall Smith wrote an article in yesterday’s Guardian Writers’ Relay welcoming the torch to the capital.
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The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that there are two further confirmed cases of the disease.
This takes the total confirmed cases to 41. There are two fewer suspected cases, taking this total to 47.
As a result the total number of overall cases remains unchanged from yesterday at 88.
At noon yesterday, of those cases being treated in hospital 11 were in intensive care and 19 were on general wards.
A total of 18 cases are being treated in the community, 32 have been discharged from hospital and one person has died.
Seven cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area. The ages of the confirmed cases ranges between 33 and 81, with more males than females affected.
NHS 24 has received 831 calls to the dedicated helpline for Legionnaires’ disease.
The Health and Safety Executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
“These numbers today again offer reassurance that the worst of the outbreak is over. The increase of confirmed cases and reduction in the suspected cases is in line with our expectations. However, there is no room for complacency and we will continue to monitor the situation very closely over the coming days.
“Investigations are continuing into the source of the outbreak and the risk to the public remains low, however anyone who is concerned should continue to contact NHS 24’s dedicated helpline on 0800 0858 531 or their GP.”
Dr Duncan McCormick, Chair of the Incident Management Team and Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Lothian, said:
“I am pleased to note that there has been no increase in the number of cases in the last 24 hours and that the total number of patients affected still remains at 88. These numbers are in line with what we would expect at this stage in the outbreak.
“The number of confirmed cases has increased by two to 41 but these two patients are not new and were known to us as suspected cases.
“It is encouraging to see that the number of patients being treated in critical care has reduced and that overall more patients are recovering and being discharged home.
“Staff are continuing to do an excellent job although it seems that the number of patients presenting with symptoms or concerns is beginning to tail off which is a welcome sign.”
A further update will be issued on the latest situation and the number of cases this afternoon.
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The council planning committee meets this morning at the City Chambers. The full agenda is here. One of the reports focusses on the ten colony developments in the city which look as though they will all now be given conservation or listed status. Only five developments are listed so far.
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STV Edinburgh tell us the reaction of local residents to the cleanliness survey in Gorgie, which has been revealed as one of the dirtiest areas in the city. Do you think there is anywhere that needs a clean up? Then tell us!
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The Edinburgh Guide reports on the Edinburgh Arrow which was competed for earlier this week. Alan Alstead was the winner. Read more here. and you can have a look at the film The Edinburgh Reporter made of last year’s event.