Coronavirus not found at Edinburgh College after false panic

A spokesman for the college said they took precautionary measures on Tuesday when a student at the Sighthill Campus showed symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19.

In line with Public Health guidance, those who had been in contact with the student were sent home and advised to call NHS 111 if they started developing symptoms.

The spokesman said: “Public Health confirmed late evening that the student was not at risk of having COVID-19. As a result, the college was advised that all those involved could return to college as normal the following day (Wednesday).”

A student had told another newspaper that about 15 people were told to ‘self isolate’ after coming into contact with someone showing possible symptoms of the deadly virus. Edinburgh College stressed that this was not the case.

It comes as the total number of diagnosed coronavirus cases in Scotland rose from one to three overnight.