Health Advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan city, China. It can cause a cough and/or a fever/high temperature.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

This is a rapidly changing situation which is being monitored carefully.

Full and up-to-date advice is available from NHS Inform, including 

  • what to do and who to contact if you have symptoms
  • how to prevent infection
  • high-risk areas around the world
  • advice on self-isolation
  • a helpline for those who do not have symptoms and are looking for general information

The Scottish Government is publishing numbers of test results, updated daily.

Coronavirus symptoms and health advice

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:

  • high temperature or fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

Public health advice can be found at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) on NHS Inform.

A free helpline has been set up for people who do not have symptoms but are looking for general advice: 0800 028 2816.

Overseas visitors to Scotland, regardless of their residency status, are exempt from NHS charges for both the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19).