Coronavirus cases in Borders on increase again, to nine, as total for Scotland passes 300

The latest update issued by the Scottish Government reveals that, as of today, March 20, nine cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in the region, up from eight yesterday.

They are among 322 Scots to have tested positive for the illness, up from 266 yesterday, and 3,269 people across the UK.

The death toll claimed by Covid-19 in Scotland stands at six, and the number of fatalities attributable to the virus UK-wide has now reached 144.

Some 7,550 tests for the illness have now been carried out in Scotland, with 7,228 tests coming back negative.

It is now nine days since the first two cases of the illness were confirmed in the region, with that figure going up to three last Friday, five on Saturday, seven the day after and eight yesterday.

Giving an update today on the spread of the disease here since its emergence in China in December, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a plea to Scots to stop panic-buying items such as toilet roll and pasta and to act responsibly.

“As of 9am this morning, there were 322 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland. That is an increase of 56 since yesterday,” she said.

“Sadly, there are six people who have died having been diagnosed with Covid-19. That is no change on the figure that was confirmed yesterday.

“Some of the sacrifices that we are asking people to make – and they are sacrifices as we are asking people to fundamentally change the way we live our lives – will become more apparent to us and more difficult as we head into the weekend.

“I know that there will be some of you wanting to head out to the pub for one final night out or who were looking forward to a meal out with friends, but my guidance is clear, and crystal clear, please do not do this. You must not consider this vital health advice to be merely optional.

“This is vital. It is vital for your own protection, the protection of your loved ones, particularly if amongst those there are older or vulnerable people. It is vital for the protection of our NHS and its ability to care for those who will need it in the weeks to come. It is vital for the protection of all of us and it is vital to help us save lives.

“Doing everything we can to slow down the spread of this virus now means that we will save lives and we will protect our NHS.

“We cannot just carry on as normal. Life right now is not normal.

“I recognise that this guidance, the advice we are asking people to follow, is already having a very severe impact on certain industries, and we are working with the UK Government and others to do as much as we can to address that.

“There is disruption for businesses right now across the economy. This is an unimaginably difficult time for businesses and for employers and for those that work across our economy.

“My message to businesses large and small is that we know this is difficult, we know times are hard and we will do everything we can to help you.

“I want to thank the vast majority of people who have been sensible in their shopping habits this week and also the supermarkets who have taken steps to ensure that supplies get to those who need them, particularly the more vulnerable members of our communities.

“I know that some people have felt the need to stockpile certain items, but my clear advice is do not do that. There is no need to do that.

“If everyone remains sensible in their shopping, then there is more than enough to go round.

“Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open and supplies will continue to get them – and while it is tempting to get everything from the supermarket, your support for local businesses at this time can also be a lifeline to them.

“All of us, as we go into this weekend and beyond, need to follow the guidance. It is there for the protection of all of us.

“Let us not look back in a few weeks and wish that we had done more to protect ourselves and each other.

“The time to act is now.”

Schools are shutting across the Borders and the rest of the country today, probably until August at the earliest, in an effort to bring the spread of the virus under control, and Ms Sturgeon wished pupils and staff well as they prepare to switch from classroom to online learning, saying: “I want to send my very best wishes to children across the country who are having their last day at school for what might be quite a while.

“I fervently wish that we were not having to close schools, but it is essential to help us reduce the impact of this virus.

“I want to say to all young people across the country, as you finish school today, thank you for all your hard work this year. You are all an enormous credit to your schools and to your communities and, of course, to your parents.

“I also want to say thank you to all of our teaching staff and non-teaching staff in our schools and early-years settings, and all those who are and will be continuing to work flat out in our education service, both over the last few days and the days to come, to help us adapt to what is a rapidly changing situation.

“The very fact that, for the first time in our history, there will be no exams this year underlines the seriousness of the situation that we are facing.”

Tracey Logan, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, added: “From this afternoon, all schools are to close for all pupils but are to remain open for staff.

“We continue working to develop proposals to provide an alternative provision from next week, but our intention is that schools will be open from Monday, March 23, to cater for vulnerable pupils and those whose parents have been identified as key workers. We are planning to issue guidance today on what this terminology actually means and how the plans will be implemented, but it will be broadly in line with the guidance provided by the Scottish Government.

“We are planning to keep our complex needs facilities open.

“Priority will also be given to supporting senior pupils to ensure they are able to complete required coursework.

“All of this will be augmented by an alternative education provision based on remote learning.

“Work is also under way to ensure vulnerable pupils in receipt of free school meals continue to be supported.

“All our early-years establishments will be closing, and we will be working with private and voluntary providers to ensure they continue to operate and provide much-needed support.

“More information will be provided as soon as possible, and we would ask parents to monitor our usual communication channels for updates, mainly our website, www.scotborders.gov.uk/coronavirus, and our social media channels.”