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Five things you need to know today

June 26, 2012 10:09 am

Legionella outbreak – Council committees today – TED Global – Armed Forces Day 30 June 2012 – Art exhibition

The Holyrood Health and Sport Committee will meet at 10.30 this morning to take evidence on the Legionella outbreak in Edinburgh from:-

Pam Waldron, HSE Director, Scotland, and Head of Field Operations Directorate, Scotland and Northern England Division, Health and Safety Executive;

Dr Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, and Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian;

Dr Jim McMenamin, Consultant Epidemiologist, Respiratory Team, Health Protection Scotland;

Colin Sibbald, Food Health and Safety Manager, City of Edinburgh Council.

The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show an increase in cases of the disease – one confirmed and one suspected. This means the total number of confirmed cases is now 48 and the total number of suspected cases is 47.

The total number of overall cases is now 95.

At noon yesterday, of those cases being treated in hospital, three are in intensive care – an increase from two on Friday – and 12 are on general wards.

A total of 20 cases are being treated in the community, 51 have been discharged from hospital and two people have sadly died. Seven cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area. The ages of the confirmed cases ranges between 33 and 85, with more males than females affected. 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:

“As well as the efforts being made by health service staff to treat those who are critically ill in hopsital, a tremendous amount of work is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive and the City of Edinburgh Council to identify and deal with the source of the outbreak.”

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The Council has two committees meeting this morning, the Economic Development committee and the Audit Committee. The Audit committee will consider a report on the council’s ICT systems which are currently run under contract with BT which has been extended to 2016. The overall report suggests that the arrangements with BT work reasonably well but there is scope for improvement. One incident at the end of 2011 when data in the Money Advice and Community Support section was lost, highlighted that no-one knew that this system was being operated by the council. This has resulted in the council examining the whole range of systems to ensure that everything is under some form of council control. At the Economic Development Committee the council will hear that over 1000 affordable houses are being built by the council at the moment.

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Sculptor, Antony Gormley responsible for the figures in the Water of Leith, and singer, Macy Gray, will be among those delivering TED talks today in Edinburgh at the TED Global 2012 conference. The theme for the conference is Radical Openness. Tomorrow the attendees will hear from Ruby Wax and First Minister, Alex Salmond. If you are still wondering what TED is then watch this video:-

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The official Armed Forces Day flag was raised in Edinburgh yesterday as the city prepares to honour service personnel past and present with a packed day of events on Saturday.

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The flag was escorted down the Royal Mile to the City Chambers by the National Standards of the Royal British Legion Scotland and presented to the Capital’s Lord Provost by the Chairman of Veterans Scotland, Colonel Martin Gibson OBE DL.

The Rt Hon Donald Wilson, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: “We raised the Armed Forces Day flag at the City Chambers this morning to show our continued support and gratitude for the risks both serving personnel and veterans take to keep us safe.

“Edinburgh has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and raising this flag at the City Chambers will serve as a poignant reminder of all those who have fought on our behalf.

“On Saturday, we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of serving personnel and veterans to Princes Street Gardens for a fun, family-friendly event to celebrate these men and women’s bravery and dedication to duty.”

Joining the Lord Provost at today’s ceremony were representatives of the Armed Forces: Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, Commanding Officer, City of Edinburgh Universities Officer Training Corps; Commander Mark Buchan-Steele Royal Navy, Chief of Staff for Royal Naval Headquarters (Scotland & Northern Ireland); Wing Commander Nicholas Stringer, Officer Commanding Operations Wing, RAF Leuchars; and Colonel Philip Bates, Commander of Edinburgh Garrison.

Saturday’s events start at 1pm with a combined Veteran, cadet and military parade from King Stables Road to the Ross Theatre in Princes Street Gardens.

A packed afternoon of family entertainment then kicks off with various performers taking to the stage. These include the SCOTS Mil Afghan Rock Band, 1940s dance troupe Kennedy Cupcakes, highland dancers and a jazz band.

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And the Libraries blog Tales of One City reminds us that there is an exhibition in the Central Library of art inspired by the College of Art. It runs till 30 July.