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Three test negative for swine flu | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Three of the people being checked for the swine flu virus in Scotland have tested negative. | |
These were one probable case in Grampian and two possible identified in airline passengers who travelled from Birmingham to Glasgow. | |
Speaking in parliament, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the work of health staff. | |
Meanwhile, ministers said plans were in place to help pupils, if swine flu forced the cancellation of exams. | |
Giving her briefing, the health secretary stressed that the risk of a pandemic was still high. | |
A total of 1,516 cases of swine flu have now been reported across 22 countries. | A total of 1,516 cases of swine flu have now been reported across 22 countries. |
What we have just now is nothing more reliable than the scientists' best guess Nicola SturgeonScottish health secretary | What we have just now is nothing more reliable than the scientists' best guess Nicola SturgeonScottish health secretary |
There have been 32 confirmed cases in the UK, with four in Scotland - including one case of person-to-person transmission. | There have been 32 confirmed cases in the UK, with four in Scotland - including one case of person-to-person transmission. |
The probable Grampian case was identified in a 21-year old, who returned from New York to Heathrow on 25 April and then travelled on to Aberdeen the following day. | The probable Grampian case was identified in a 21-year old, who returned from New York to Heathrow on 25 April and then travelled on to Aberdeen the following day. |
NHS Grampian has now confirmed that the woman has tested negative. | |
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government's containment strategy was so far proving successful - but said officials must continue to prepare for the worst, while it was likely that further cases would emerge. | Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government's containment strategy was so far proving successful - but said officials must continue to prepare for the worst, while it was likely that further cases would emerge. |
"What we have just now is nothing more reliable than the scientists' best guess and, therefore, a number of strong caveats require to be inserted," she told MSPs. | "What we have just now is nothing more reliable than the scientists' best guess and, therefore, a number of strong caveats require to be inserted," she told MSPs. |
"The virus might yet mutate and develop greater virulence and it may return in the autumn and winter months as a more serious strain. | "The virus might yet mutate and develop greater virulence and it may return in the autumn and winter months as a more serious strain. |
"There are real dangers and we must continue to plan ahead." | "There are real dangers and we must continue to plan ahead." |
Coursework plans | |
On the situation with exams, ministers also said that, should a pandemic develop and exams had to be cancelled, candidates would be able to receive grades on the basis of their marks for prelims and coursework. | |
One Scottish school has already arranged for a candidate to sit an exam in a separate room, after it emerged the pupil had been in contact with a possible carrier of the virus. | |
But the government stressed candidates should be assured it was otherwise business as usual for the exams, which got under way on Tuesday. | |
Pupils have been advised to attend their exams as usual, unless they have a medical certificate or are otherwise advised by the school. |
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