Weekly deaths involving coronavirus in Scotland fall to 17

The number of deaths linked to coronavirus last week in Scotland fell to 17.

It is the tenth weekly reduction in confirmed or suspected Covid-19 deaths in a row.

The latest National Records of Scotland (NRS) show 4173 deaths involving coronavirus up to Sunday, July 5.

Counting the two deaths of confirmed Covid patients announced by the Scottish Government so far this week, the most up-to-date death toll is 4175.

It’s a rise of 17 on the week before, which is down 18 on the previous weekly increase.

In new analysis of registered deaths up to June 14, the NRS also found deaths among people from South Asian backgrounds were almost twice as likely to involve the virus than deaths among white people.

From June 29 to July 5, 40 fewer deaths from all causes were registered compared with the average over the last five years. ]

This is the second week in a row there have been no excess deaths in Scotland, meaning total deaths are lower than average last week, down from a peak one week in April of 36%.

The NRS figures on Covid deaths where the virus is cited on the death certificate as a leading or contributory cause, irrespective of if they have had a positive test.

There were just four coronavirus-linked deaths in care homes last week, accounting for fewer than a quarter of deaths involving the virus.

The majority of Covid deaths (12) in the week ending July 5 occurred in hospitals.

More than three quarters (77%) of all deaths involving coronavirus to date were of people aged 75 or over.

Pete Whitehouse, NRS director of statistical services, said: “Every death from this virus is a tragedy and these statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones.”

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily press briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed one more coronavirus death in the last 24 hours, bringing this week’s total to two.

She also revealed there were seven new cases of the virus in Scotland, meaning 18,309 Scots have tested positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic started.

A total of 767 people are in hospital overall with coronavirus or symptoms of the disease, a rise of 68 on the day before – but all of the increase is suspected cases, Sturgeon said.

There are 11 patients in intensive care, a rise of four, but again, all four are suspected not confirmed cases.

A total of 4106 people hospitalised with the virus have been able to go home to continue their recovery.