Cumbernauld dentist closes amid coronavirus outbreak
The Stewart and Stewart Dental Practice has taken a decision to temporarily close as a precaution.
A dentists in Cumbernauld has closed temporarily due to a case of coronavirus at the practice.
Stewart and Stewart Dental Practice is currently working with NHS Lanarkshire who are in the process of contacting patients who have been in contact with the confirmed case.
The individual with coronavirus is being treated in hospital and is clinically well.
Dr Femi Oshin, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: "We want to reassure all staff and patients of the practice that the risk of contracting coronavirus from this individual is low.
"Our public health team is in the process of telephoning those patients who have been in contact with the confirmed case and issuing public health advice. These phone calls will take place over the next day.
"Not everyone who has attended the practice last week will have had contact with the confirmed case. We want to reassure these patients – and indeed everyone at this time – that they should follow the most up-to-date health advice, which can be found on the NHS Inform website.
"We would like to thank everyone at the practice for their cooperation and support at what will undoubtedly be a difficult time for them. We will provide further details on the practice reopening in due course."
Stewart and Stewart Dental Practice partner Dr Gordon Stewart said: "The health and safety of our patients and staff are of paramount importance to us.
"As soon as we were notified of this matter we immediately agreed with NHS Lanarkshire’s public health officials that to close temporarily as a precaution would be the most appropriate step to take.
"I would like thank our wonderful staff for their understanding and support at this time.
"I would also like to express my sincere apologies to all our patients for the inconvenience this will cause but hope they will understand our reasons for this course of action and fully support our decision.
"We will endeavour to keep all staff and patients updated during this period."
It comes as a conference being held by a diabetes charity in Glasgow has been cancelled amid growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Diabetes UK said it was "not a decision we have come to lightly" having to balance the "commitment to delivering a conference... with our deep and genuine concern" of delegates.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced yesterday five more confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland, taking the current total to 23.
The First Minister said there is an "increasing inevitability" of a significant Covid-19 outbreak across the UK.
She said changes to the delay phase of the Scottish Government's plans could include advising people with more mild symptoms to stay at home.
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