Scottish CMO classifies COVID-19 as a notifiable disease

22nd February 2020 by PIP editor Leave a Comment

Public health regulations have been amended in Scotland to make coronavirus (Covid-19) a notifiable disease.

The changes to the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008 mean that medical practitioners are now required to share patient information with health boards if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a person they are attending has coronavirus.

The Chief Medical Officer has written to NHS Boards, medical practitioners and directors of diagnostic laboratories to make them aware of the changes.

There have been no positive test results for coronavirus in Scotland to date.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

“Although all Scottish tests have so far been negative, we are prepared for the high likelihood that we will also see a positive case in Scotland.

“These changes keep our public health legislation up to date, ensuring the health service in Scotland can quickly respond, if a suspected case of coronavirus is confirmed.

“Our NHS is well-equipped to cope with any suspected cases. We are actively working with health boards to ensure this, and have well-rehearsed procedures in place for infections of this kind.”

The letter below from the Scottish Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has been sent to health professionals in Scotland. The purpose of the letter is to make them aware of the new regulations which will come into effect on Saturday 22nd February 2020 to make coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a notifiable disease and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) a notifiable organism.