JASON Leitch has reminded worried parents that they should not be "scared" of seeking healthcare for children suffering from health problems.

The national clinical director addressed the issue at today's daily coronavirus briefing, stating that children with health issues such as asthma and diabetes must access healthcare.

His advice acknowledges suggestions that some parents are concerned about taking their child to hospital to seek treatment.

Leitch said: "I'm hearing stories across the whole of the UK, and in fact across the whole of Europe, about people being scared to take their children to hospital.

"Please do not be. If your child lives with asthma, lives with diabetes, lives with some neurological condition, perhaps, that you feel is deteriorating, you must access the healthcare your child needs.

"You will be safer if you go, not if you stay home, for those deteriorating kids."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announced at the briefing that 24 more people have died from coronavirus in Scotland, taking the total number of deaths to 566.

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