Daily Coronavirus Round-Up: 1/4/20

Tay News understands all of Dundee United's playing squad and most coaches have been placed on furlough leave.

The club says a large number of employees across all departments are on the government Coronavirus job retention scheme. A skeleton staff remains in place.

In a statement, Managing Director Mal Brannigan said: "I believe that this is the best option for Dundee United and it would be remiss of me to not make effective use of it, given the importance of protecting the long-term sustainability of the Club.

"The Scheme is a huge source of business relief, essentially on our cash flow, given that wages and salaries are our largest monthly outlay and an invaluable short-term lifeline to the Club while we await the return of football and our usual match-day income streams.

"A skeleton staff remains at the Club so that we can react to changes at the right time and with the right decision."

Elsewhere in Tayside:

There's a fresh call for people to stay away from rural beauty spots - this time in Angus.

Country parks across the region have closed but a number of visitors are still pitching up

The charity Angus Alive says only those who live nearby should access parks by foot.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Please - for the sake of your own health, the health of your family and those around you - please stick to the guidance currently imposed by government. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

"To our visitors who will be disappointed that they are unable to join us, we will still be here in the months to come and ready to welcome you in good health when the time is right.

"It is really important that we do all we can to discourage travel, and ask people instead to stay local and observe social distancing as guided by the government."

In other news concern is growing for missing Dundee man Allan Smeaton.

It's now known the 49-year-old was near Ninewells Hospital around 2am last Saturday.

He then went to Ballindean place - residents are being urged to check their sheds.

A temporary u-turn on the closure of Crieff's Clydesdale bank is being welcomed.

Virgin Money will not go ahead with the widespread branch cuts announced in February.

It's to support people during the pandemic - local MSP Liz Smith says it's the right decision.

"It's a town that's seen the demotion of a lot of it's facilities and there is the pending problem of the post office, so there was a lot of concern about this."

National:

The First Minister says a new temporary hospital at the SEC in Glasgow "may not be needed".

Earlier this week Nicola Sturgeon revealed the facility should be up and running in a fortnight.

She was updating MSPs this afternoon on the latest covid-19 developments in Scotland, confirming 16 more people have died overnight.

This takes the total number of deaths in Scotland to 76, with 1,153 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus.

The First Minister also confirmed the Scottish Government's initial target to double the number of ICU beds has now been achieved.

"Given that some of this capacity will still be required for other urgent care, that provides us with approximately 250 ICU beds which can be used exclusively for Covid-19 patients," she said.

"I can also advise parliament that we are now working to quadruple intensive care capacity to more than 700 patients for covid patients."

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