Coronavirus round-up: School closures, care home outbreak, stockpiling fears

The Covid-19 outbreak is a situation like no other, with new new twists by the minute. Misinformation is traded freely and confusion sets in as people not only self-isolate from the world but from the news sources flooding them with updates.

So, welcome to the first edition of our morning column, where we seek to package our updates to make sure you have the most useful information you need to go about your day.

By the numbers

At some point the numbers become meaningless, but daily updates continue and on Sunday the number of cases in Scotland rose to 153 from 121. About 4,200 people have either driven through makeshift testing centres or visited hospitals in this country, and someone who was only described as an “older person” died from the condition.

School closures

With some countries closing schools altogether and others taking a shorter-term approach, parents in Scotland are left wondering when and if their kids are being sent home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Without a centralized database to check, it can be frustrating for parents to seek out the information they need. The Herald has stepped up with a searchable online database. Meanwhile, universities and colleges continue to build out contingency plans that include online classes and new ways to administer exams.

Stockpiling concerns

Thousands of photos over the weekend have highlighted the extent people will go to stock up ahead of any possible quarantine measures. Soap, pain relief, toilet paper and staples such as pasta and rice have become increasingly difficult to find across Scotland.

Care home confusion

After a day of uncertainty about the government’s plans for those over 70, word that a care home in Uddingston that helps those with dementia and also provide palliative care services is dealing with six cases of coronavirus. Aside from the usual comments about keeping things clean and following the NHS guidance, officials were vague about the details.

Cancellations

If it’s a gathering of any size, chances are the event has been cancelled. STV News has been putting together a rolling list in an attempt to keep all the information in one place. It’s a good resource for anyone wondering about what’s on and what is off.