Coronavirus becomes ‘notifiable disease’ in Scotland

Coronavirus has been made a ‘notifiable disease’ in Scotland in the wake of the worldwide outbreak.

This means that doctors are now required to share patient information with health boards if they have reason to suspect the person they are treating has coronavirus.

The Chief Medical Officer has written to NHS boards, doctors and directors of diagnostic laboratories to make them aware of the changes, which come into effect from Saturday 22 February.

There have been more than 76,000 cases of Coronavirus worldwide, the majority of them in China, but no one has tested positive for the virus in Scotland so far.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Although all Scottish tests have so far been negative, we are prepared for the high likelihood that we will also see a positive case in Scotland.

“These changes keep our public health legislation up to date, ensuring the health service in Scotland can quickly respond, if a suspected case of coronavirus is confirmed.

“Our NHS is well equipped to cope with any suspected cases.

“We are actively working with health boards to ensure this and have well-rehearsed procedures in place for infections of this kind.”