Scottish government updates on coronavirus

Hello all
 
I thought I would bring to your attention the Scottish government have included the advice below in the Coronavirus section of their website.  There are numerous resources available to you on the website.  Follow this link to see more information: 
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Introduction
In Scotland it is important that people maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D has a number of important functions and is needed to support bone and muscle health.
 
Since our main source of vitamin D is sunlight, this advice is especially important for people who are indoors much or all of the time.
 
Everyone (including children) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.
It is specifically recommended that groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement.
 
These groups include:
·       all pregnant and breastfeeding women
·       infants and children under 5 years old
·       people who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, are housebound, confined indoors for long periods or live in an institution such as a care home
·       people from minority ethnic groups with dark skin such as those of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian origin, who require more sun exposure to make as much vitamin D
 
The current guidance on sun exposure should be followed: 10–15 minutes of unprotected Scottish sun exposure is safe for all. Once sunscreen is correctly applied, vitamin D synthesis is blocked. Staying in the sun for prolonged periods without the protection of sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer.
 
Further guidance for babies, young children and pregnant women can be found too.

Babies and young children
·       breastfed babies from birth to 1 year of age should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough
·       formula-fed babies shouldn't be given a vitamin D supplement until they're having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula is fortified with vitamin D
·       children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D
 
You can buy vitamin D supplements or vitamin drops containing vitamin D (for under 5s) at most pharmacies and supermarkets. Please don’t buy more than you need.

Read advice and support for parents to follow the recommendation for infants from birth to 6 months.
 

Availability of vitamin D supplements - Vitamin D supplements can be purchased from most supermarkets, pharmacies or online. Please don’t buy more than you need.

If you are not sure whether you are at risk or not, or do not know which supplements to take, ask your GP, pharmacist, midwife or health visitor for further information.

Too much vitamin D may be harmful.  Unless your doctor has advised you differently, daily supplements at the recommended amounts will be enough. In particular, avoid daily high dose vitamin D supplements containing more than 100 micrograms for adults and children from age 11, more than 50 micrograms for children age 1-10 years, and more than 25 micrograms for infants under 12 months.