The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon briefed the media this morning alongside Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood.
Their message was clear. They are planning for the worst, prepared for it, but proceeding with caution and common sense as well as arithmetic and computer modelling.
It is however a stark fact that around 80% of Scotland’s population might be affected, although mildly, at the peak of the virus. At this point the country is in the containment phase, although one patient from Tayside has been diagnosed and hospitalised. The next phase would be the delay phase, when measures would be taken to slow the spread of the virus.
The First Minister explained that the government is preparing for a significant outbreak, that there is information on the Scottish Government and NHS Inform websites, and that will change according to reviews and updates. She said that the organisation of large meetings will be kept under review, for example things like COP26 and international sporting fixtures.
Ms Sturgeon said : “It is really important for reasons of containment that the public is abiding by the public health and public hygiene advice that is available.”
This includes really basic advice such as what to do when hand washing or sneezing in public, which she warned against ignoring.
The First Minister said that the country is in the containment phase of the virus at this time. She continued: “The public has a big part to play and a very important part to play in helping us contain for as long as possible the spread of this virus.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “If you have symptoms, a cough, shortness of breath or a fever, then self-isolate, don’t come to a healthcare facility. Phone and the local health protection teams will give bespoke advice according to your travel history and symptoms.
“We have isolated areas in which that testing is being done, some of our health boards have drive through testing for people who are well enough and who have access to a car. They can stay in the car and again minimise risk of exposure to the wider public.” She explained they will be kept away from primary care facilities and emergency departments.
Dr Calderwood also explained what the scenario is that the government is planning for. She said: “Our epidemiological evidence would show that we would have a peak which we’ve seen in China, and those cases are beginning to slow there.
“If there is spread which then becomes sustained in this country we would not expect the peak of our cases for another two to three months.
“While we are preparing and taking advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee which has been convened any kind of measures which would need to be taken in order to delay spread, we do have some time before that would be necessary.”
The four Chief Medical Officers are meeting several times a week and what has come out of the UK Government COBR meeting this morning is that there will be a four nations action plan which will be published in all four nations by tomorrow.
The First Minister concluded: “It is important that we give information to the public but it is important that there is not reporting of dramatic figures taken out of context.”
Jeane Freeman the Health Secretary said that the NHS Scotland has a clear resilience plan in dealing with situations like this. She said: “Exactly how we flex that plan is informed by the kind of information that Dr Calderwood has referred to in terms of the scientific and clinical advice.
“Each of our individual boards then have their own plans that flow from that and some time ago we asked them to stand those plans up and begin to work them through in terms of the current situation and what to expect.
“Individual boards are working through as we go from the current containment phase to the phase where we will be looking to delay the virus.”
The First Minister and Chief Medical Officer warn that they are planning for a ‘significant outbreak’ of Coronavirus. Public need to exercise hand washing etc but the absolute worst case could mean that 80% of the population could get it perhaps over a three week period pic.twitter.com/J1wVGUVW5t
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) March 2, 2020
Measured advice from the First Minister and the Chief Medical Officer at a media briefing following the diagnosis of one case of Coronavirus in Scotland pic.twitter.com/40zYjIbGVJ
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) March 2, 2020
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