Person from Queen Margaret University who had 'flu-like symptoms' does not have coronavirus

The Evening News has seen an email sent to all students and Staff at QMU which reveals the individual 'does not have coronavirus'.

The email from University Secretary Irene Hynd this afternoon will allay concerns from the staff and student bodies after it emerged on Wednesday that a person had been told to remain at home as a 'precautionary measure'.

However Ms Hynd has reiterated the university's good hygiene advice as institutions across the country work to prevent the spread of the virus.

Hygiene advice

QMU staff and students are asked to always carry tissues with them to catch coughs and sneezes, to bin tissues and to wash hands with soap or sanitiser gel.

Concern was raised on Wednesday that the virus, which has sparked a global health emergency, may have arrived on the QMU campus after a person returned from Thailand with flu-like symptoms.

They were advised to remain at home for 14 days - which is standard practise - and have since been tested and cleared.

Statistics published by the Scottish Government on this week show more than 80 people in Scotland have been tested and all returned negative results.

Labs have been set up at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to test patients in Scotland.

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said while there have been no confirmed cases north of the border so far there is a "high likelihood" a patient will test positive for the disease in future.

QMU has been approached for a comment.