Coronavirus: Nine more dead as cases rise to 6067 in Scotland

Another nine people have died from coronavirus overnight, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

It brings the Scottish death toll from Covid-19 to 575, while the UK figure has risen to 11,329.

The number of confirmed positive cases in Scotland stands at 6067 – an increase of 155 from 5912 the day before.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the rise during a briefing at Holyrood on Monday.

She cautioned that NHS Tayside and NHS Ayrshire and Arran had yet to report their positive case figures.

A total of 211 patients are currently in intensive care.

The First Minister started the briefing by thanking the people of Scotland who respected Government guidelines over the Easter weekend.

A review of lockdown measures will take place this week, however it is unlikely to lead to a lift in restrictions.

Sturgeon said: “There are early optimistic signs that the steps we are taking are working but until we know more, until we have solid evidence, we must stick with it.”

It was also revealed that the Scottish Government is working with the Care Inspectorate over care home cases.

Sturgeon said: “I want to give a very strong assurance firstly, that we’re working hard with the Care Inspectorate to provide appropriate support to care homes, their staff and their residents.

“Secondly, we’re working hard to ensure that we can publish full and robust information about numbers of cases in care homes, which we hope to do later this week.”

The First Minister also said that £17m of a £50m fund has been earmarked for charities supporting people through the crisis – £10m has been allocated for “immediate priorities” and the further £7m will be handed out in small grants to around 2000 charities.

The remaining £33m is open to bids from charities, with third sector groups encouraged to apply.

A new helpline has also been set up to support people who are vulnerable but not in one of the shielded groups.

Opening on Tuesday, it is intended for those who are elderly, pregnant, in need of mental health support or in receipt of the flu jab.

The number is 0800 111 4000.

Interim chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith urged families of those who have died during the outbreak not to delay funerals, in a bid to stop a backlog.

Dr Smith said: “The sector can cope, if everyone understands and appreciates the circumstances that we find ourselves in and continues to arrange a funeral for loved ones as normal, and I do stress, without delay.”

He added: “At this time, it’s very important that people do not delay funerals of their loved ones.

“It’s important that people are able to grieve the passing of a loved one, but delaying the funeral in anticipation of social distancing measures being lifted could increase strain on funeral and mortuary services responding to coronavirus.”

At the Downing Street briefing, foreign secretary Dominc Raab said there are some “positive signs” from the data that show the UK is “starting to win this struggle” but warned: “We are still not past the peak.”

Mr Raab added: “Our plan is working. Please stick with it and we’ll get through this crisis together.”