Fellow Fifers are praying for nurse Pauline Cafferkey as she battles against Ebola for the second time.
At Ms Cafferkey’s high school, St Columba’s in Dunfermline, everyone was thinking of the former pupil who risked her own life to go to the aid of those struck down by the deadly virus.
Headteacher Jim Mooney said the school had only found out she was again ill after morning prayers.
“If we had known about it before, saying prayers for her is something we would have done.
“She will be in our prayers and our thoughts now.
“Everybody thought she had pulled through and thought that news was terrific.
“It is so disappointing and so sad to hear she is in a serious condition,” he told The Courier.
Local MSP Alex Rowley summed up the feeling of the local community when he said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Pauline for a speedy recovery.
“From what I understand she is very ill and our thoughts are also with her family in Cowdenbeath and Crossgates in what will be a very difficult time.
“What I am sure of is that everyone across the constituency and indeed across Fife is praying that she gets the best treatment and is able to recover.”
Councillor Willie Clarke, who chairs the local area committee, added: “Everyone thought she had got over it the first time and it is so sad to hear she again has to go through the trials and tribulations she went through before.”
He paid tribute to the work she was carrying out when the virus struck.
“It is a tragedy to see anyone, especially someone who has given so much, have this happen.
“She is a person who gives so much, I hope she makes a speedy recovery.”