Coronavirus-hit Scottish couple 'set the record straight' following online abuse

Pair have been attacked online after contracting the virus.

A Scottish couple who contracted coronavirus while holidaying in Italy have been the subject of ‘vicious rumours’ on social media.

The pair – who live in Shetland – said they wanted to ‘put straight’ comments circulating about them, describing the situation as ‘some of the hardest few days we have ever experienced’.

The couple have been subjected to 'vicious rumours' on social media.

“Sadly, there are nasty rumours and wild speculation that spreads all too quickly,” the man, whose identity will remain anonymous, wrote on social media.

He added: “We would do anything to change this situation. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but that does not change where we are now.”

He said the couple had spent a few days in Edinburgh before travelling to southern Italy with family and friends for a long weekend.

“We were aware that northern Italy had a number of cases, however, we checked with the government website which advised that travel to Naples was fine as there were no cases in that region at the time,” he said.

On return to the UK, the pair spent a night in a hotel airport and then flew home to Shetland. Neither presented any symptoms of coronavirus.

“It was not until the Thursday night that I felt unwell with slight cold symptoms. I contacted NHS 24, my GP and public health Scotland on the Friday morning,” he said.

“The initial advice was that southern Italy was not a high risk area and therefore we did not need testing. However, this information changed on lunchtime Friday when Italy was upgraded.

“We were advised to self-isolate, and we would be tested. We did this immediately and have not left the house since and have not been out partying, or socialising of any kind.”

The pair said they were advised that unless other family members were showing symptoms they did not need to self-isolate, but would be best to stay with another relative.

“Both NHS Shetland and Public Health Scotland/Shetland were gobsmacked when the positive results came on the Sunday evening,” he said.

“At that point we provided as much detail and information as we possibly could to help the health professionals carry out their work.

“We have been in our home with support from NHS Shetland staff who have been absolutely fantastic at every step of the way.”

He thanked his friends, family and neighbours who have proved ‘incredibly supportive’ throughout the ordeal, citing this as one of the ‘fabulous things about living in a small community’.

He added: “But sadly there are nasty rumours and wild speculation that spreads all too quickly. We would do anything to change this situation, and we are desperately worried about friends, family and anyone else who may have been affected.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but that does not change where we are now.

“We do however know, that we did everything we could as per the guidance. Public Health Shetland urges everyone to follow the same principles, however, if the consequence of doing your best and trying to do the right thing is to get vilified by others, it will put people off, and this will increase the risk in the long run.”