Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our online journalism free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this crisis.

To help us get through this, we’re asking readers who can afford it to contribute either £3, £5 or £8 a month to the Glasgow Times.

If you choose to sign up, we’ll also take away all the adverts – and deliver a digital version of the print paper to your device. Click here to help Save Your Times: www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/subscribe

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RUMOURS that the NHS are preparing an emergency mortuary at the Braehead Curling Rink or Soar Snow Factor have been shut down by officials.

Suggestion had been mounting that the two areas could be earmarked for the health board to use during the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen 1059 people infected in Scotland - resulting in 33 deaths so far.

In Glasgow, 299 people have tested positive for the virus. 

And Scotland's chief medical officer today revealed she estimated the actual nationwide infected figure is around 65,000.

READ MORE: Glasgow's SEC 'ready to support NHS' for emergency hospital

With the increasing demand on the NHS, rumours had been circulating regarding the potential for makeshift mortuaries.

One person even wrote on Twitter: "Actually heard the rumour today from a nurse that they're closing braehead icerink to make it into a makeshift mortuary."

But the Glasgow Times can confirm that no such plans are in place.

When approached by us, intu Braehead officials said: "There have been no discussions about any part of intu Braehead being used as a temporary mortuary."

And a spokeswoman for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde added: "There is a regional resilience groups looking at a range of issues including mortuary capacity.

"Within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde there is no issue with mortuary capacity."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are involved in detailed planning, along with the UK Government and other devolved administrations, to ensure that all necessary provisions are in place to cope with the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic ensuring people are safe and any tragic loss of life is handled with care and respect.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus LIVE: Scotland's confirmed cases breaks 1000 with 33 deaths

In Madrid, Spain, officials took over a public skating rink on Tuesday after the city morgue overflowed.

Security forces guarded the outside of the Palacio de Hielo ice skating complex on Madrid’s northeastern outskirts as funeral vans entered the building via an underground car park.

Madrid authorities took up the rink’s offer after the city’s municipal funeral service said it could take no more coronavirus bodies until it restocked with more protective equipment.

The city government said bodies would be held at the rink until they can be taken to be cremated or buried.

We previously told you how the SEC in Glasgow said it is "ready to support the NHS" if needed, amid rumours the venue could be used as an emergency hospital for COVID-19 patients. 

While there has been no confirmation the Finnieston venue will be used for alternative hosptial provision, the SEC has said it would be willing to help the NHS if necessary. 

The armed forces are reportedly assessing the venue as a potential site for a temporary hospital.

A spokeswoman for the SEC said: The SEC is ready to support the NHS in any way we can. It is possible that the venue may be used as an alternative hospital provision.

"There has been no confirmation of this at this time."

This comes after Downing Street indicated that additional coronavirus field hospitals are being considered around the UK, at a press conference earlier today.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said 500 of the additional 4,000 beds created in the NHS Nightingale Hospital being set up in London’s ExCel centre will be available for use next week.