No change in bug outbreak cases

NO NEW cases of Legionnaires’ Disease were reported in Edinburgh yesterday – the first time since the outbreak began.

The number of confirmed and suspected cases remains at 88, the Scottish Government said last night.

Fourteen people remain in intensive care being treated for the illness. A total of 25 people have recovered enough to be sent home from hospital since the outbreak began last month.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the latest news but warned that more cases could still emerge..

“It is reassuring to see no increase in the number of cases and a small reduction in the number of hospitalised patients,” she said.

She praised the “hard work” undertaken to NHS Lothian in coping with the outbreak which has claimed the life of Robert Air, 56, a father of two from Edinburgh.