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THE Scottish government instructed all shops not providing food or medication to close immediately as it announced measures aimed at supporting NHS patients today.
In a briefing at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people to take government advice on social distancing seriously to save lives.
The SNP leader said that shops not providing essentials such as food or medicine should now shut, as the latest numbers of infected patients were revealed.
A total of 14 people died from coronavirus as of today, with 499 people having tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland and 23 people being treated in intensive care.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood added that the true numbers of positive cases could be thousands more than currently known.
The briefing was also used to announce measures the government hoped would relieve some of the pressure on the NHS, including the setup of virtual “community hubs” which will be accessed by calling NHS24 on 111.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that people will be assessed over the phone and given additional advice or have an appointment made for them to attend an assessment centre where they will be seen in person and treated or referred to hospital.
Ms Freeman said the hubs will also free up GPs to continue providing support and treatment for ailments other than coronavirus.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford also announced tough new measures to slow the spread of the infection, including closing caravan parks, campsites and other visitor sites.
“My message is simple,” he said. “Please stay at home and save lives.