A Christian MP who has entered self-isolation is calling for clearer medical guidance to help the public respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
Christian SNP MP Lisa Cameron went into self-isolation on Sunday after coming into contact with Health Minister Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
After developing symptoms including a persistent cough and swollen glands, Cameron contacted NHS 111 and was advised to self-isolate for seven days due to her contact with Ms Dorries.
Speaking to Premier, Cameron said she then received mixed messages regarding how she should respond: "The NHS also recommended I receive a test. But the next day I was called back and told that the system and the strategy had changed and they would no longer be testing people with symptoms that were relatively mild. At that point I was advised to self-isolate."
It was not made clear whether her family also needed to self-isolate, according to Cameron who says she was left with uncertainty over what further action to take. She made the decision to separate herself from them as a preventative measure.
Cameron commended the work of the NHS and the care she had received but said the country needed clearer guidance from political leaders.
"In terms of political leadership, we just need to have clarity, to understand what we should be doing, what we shouldn't be doing and to make sure that messages aren't mixed," she said.
"I understand situations will develop and change over time, but I think it's really important that the public understand how to protect themselves and families and those around them because everybody wants to do that. That's our ultimate aim.
"Politicians can be helping to lead from the front at this point in time with the best advice from the NHS and medical advisors, I think that's the way forward for everybody."
Boris Johnson has announced he will be holding daily news conferences to update the public on the crisis and ensure people are informed about how to protect themselves. The first meeting was held on Monday afternoon.
