Covid-19 deaths rise by 40 in Scotland as cases top 11,600

Another 40 people with coronavirus in Scotland are reported to have died in the last 24 hours.

It takes the death toll of confirmed cases up to above 1500, although including suspected cases, deaths now number more than 2500.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 11,654 cases of the virus in the country, a rise of 301 in the past day.

The First Minister also used Friday’s daily briefing to set out plans to ramp up testing.

She said there had been a rise of 61 overnight in the numbers of people in hospital overall with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, up to 1809.

It’s the highest daily figure on general hospital admissions since April 21.

But intensive care admissions remain relatively low, on 110 (an increase of one), down 50% since its mid-April peak.

The First Minister also confirmed a total of 2659 patients who had the virus have been able to leave hospital since March 5.

But despite Boris Johnson’s comments on Thursday that the UK is “past the peak” of its coronavirus outbreak, Sturgeon said she was reluctant to talk in those terms in case it suggested the country is past “the danger point”.

As the weekend approaches, she urged Scots to continue to observe lockdown measures to help prevent any new spike in cases.

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to a care worker in Glasgow who has died from coronavirus.

The operators of Wyndford Locks in Maryhill said the individual, believed to be a 64-year-old man, was a long-standing employee at the home and showed “courage and compassion” during the crisis.

“They will be fondly remembered for their great kindness, humour and dedication to our residents,” a HC-One statement said.

“They believed that residents deserved the very best in all things; a belief that shone through all their work and that was exemplified by their courage, compassion and selflessness throughout the coronavirus outbreak.”