Coronavirus: First community transmission case confirmed in Scotland

The first case of community transmission of coronavirus in Scotland has been confirmed.

The Scottish Government’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood revealed one of the nine new cases identified today was unrelated to contact or travel.

It was announced at 2pm that there are now a total of 36 cases in Scotland, a rise of nine since Monday – the biggest jump in cases so far. 

Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said: “We have identified the first case of community transmission in Scotland which is unrelated to contact or travel.

“This was identified through our enhanced surveillance scheme.

“It is important to emphasise that we are still in the containment phase.

“This case was to be expected and highlights the importance of the additional measures we have put in place to identify positive cases beyond self-identification.”

There have now been 456 confirmed cases across the UK since Tuesday, the largest jump UK-wide so far.