Update: Forth Valley Royal ward closure

NHS Forth Valley has said that there will be no new admissions or visiting while investigations are carried out.

They have not identified the ward for “confidentiality” reasons.

In a statement, a health authority spokesperson said: “NHS Forth Valley can confirm that a ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital has been temporarily closed to new admissions and visiting has been paused as a precautionary measure whilst investigations are undertaken into a small number of cases of Covid-19 identified through test and protect.

“To respect and maintain confidentiality, no further details will be released.

“Staff, patients and their families have been informed of the development and close contacts are being followed up by our Test and Protect Team.

“NHS Forth Valley is taking every measure to protect staff and patients and in line with national guidance, have notified Health Protection Scotland.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that a student at Stirling University has tested positive for coronavirus.

The student is now in self-isolation following the positive test.

Other students and staff were informed of the case immediately after it was confirmed.

However, health officials said that the student has not been in direct contact with any other students, staff or "the wider Stirling community".

NHS Forth Valley said that it continues to work with the university and issued a reminder of the importance of following national coronavirus guidelines to the entire community.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you