Covid-19 death toll in Scotland up by 58 with 7409 cases

The death toll from coronavirus in Scotland has risen by 58, with 307 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed.

Total confirmed cases of the virus now stand at 7409, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed.

Deaths among confirmed coronavirus patients are now 837, but combined with the deaths of those suspected to have Covid-19, the true toll is likely at least 1200.

A total of 962 deaths were registered as of Sunday by National Records of Scotland (NRS) where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

There have been a further 271 deaths reported so far this week in Health Protection Scotland’s daily statistics, tallied separately to the weekly NRS figures, suggesting the most up-to-date total is at least 1233.

Across the UK, there have now been more than 14,000 deaths after a further 847 patients were reported to have died in the last 24-hours period.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily press briefing on Friday, the First Minister said it is important to “never ever lose sight of the human reality of these statistics”.

She sent her “deepest condolences” to all who have lost loved ones in this pandemic.

Sturgeon said general admissions to hospital of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases are static, at 1799, although stressed they were not necessarily the same 1799 people reported in hospital on Thursday.

And with a decrease of seven of patients in intensive care, down to 189 across Scotland, she said the admissions figures indicated lockdown measures are working to slow the virus’ spread.

It comes after the governments of the UK confirmed the coronavirus lockdown would be extended for at least another three weeks, until early May.

The FM said lifting the restrictions too early could lead to an exponential resurgence of Covid-19 in the form of a second wave, potentially overwhelming the NHS.

“We can’t take that risk,” she said.

Sturgeon added that the Scottish Government will set out measures to ease the lockdown over the next week.

She also announced that an economic recovery advisory group will be established in Scotland.

It will bring together business leaders and economic experts to “prepare Scotland for some of the challenges that lie ahead”.

Sturgeon revealed new support for the seafood sector, with a £3.5m package for fishing vessels over 12 metres.

And she said £215m in coronavirus financial support has been paid out to businesses so far, from a £1.3bn total in grants and support available.