Coronavirus / Coronavirus news update – 17 March
IN AN attempt to help our readers keep on top of all the coronavirus news we will from now on be providing a summary at the end of each day with all the latest local developments and links to our more detailed stories.
Tuesday:
- NHS Shetland urges people not to attend A&E to get tested for coronavirus;
Visiting times at the Gilbert Bain Hospital will restricted to between 3pm and 4pm as well as 7pm and 8pm every day as of tomorrow (Wednesday) https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/nhs-tells-people-not-to-attend-ae-or-health-centres-for-coronavirus-test/ - Meanwhile, the Scottish Government rectified an earlier mistake when it put the number of confirmed cases at 11. The figure is now back to 15. https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/number-of-recorded-coronavirus-cases-drops-to-11-according-to-government/
- NHS Shetland has cancelled all its core business to free up staff to deal with the coronavirus crisis https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/nhs-putting-all-resources-into-responding-to-virus-pandemic/
- Surveillance testing of large sections of the population was announced on Sunday but as yet no details have emerged https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/no-details-on-surveillance-testing-yet/
- The developing crisis is having a severe impact on several industries sectors: Loganair has put an emergency timetable in place which will initially run until the end of May https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/glasgow-service-to-be-halted-for-at-least-six-weeks-as-loganair-introduces-emergency-timetable/
- While the shellfish sector has lost its European market overnight as the Spanish tourism industry has closed down https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/urgent-measures-sought-to-help-shellfish-sector/
- As public life is further restricted and local people are urged to reduce their social contact to the absolute minimum, Shetland Arts, Shetland Recreation Trust and Shetland Amenity Trust have all announced the closure of the venues and premises they operate.
- Shetland Islands Council has restricted the access to care homes, vocational activity and respite services and more https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/visits-restricted-to-care-homes-in-bid-to-stop-spread-of-virus/
- NorthLink has imposed a ban on passengers attempting to travel while having a persistent cough or a fever https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/17/northlink-bans-covid-19-passengers-from-travel/
- Meanwhile, the 38th Simmer Dim bikers’ rally has also been cancelled as have hundreds of other social events.
Please see our special ‘What’s off’ page at https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/03/13/coronavirus-whats-off/
Other useful links that help explain the measures taken by governments and health boards not just in Shetland or Scotland:
This from Saturday’s Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ and one from yesterday’s New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/us/coronavirus-fatality-rate-white-house.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage
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