Coronavirus: 29 deaths across the north and north-east since pandemic began

By Stuart Findlay

April 8 2020, 2:49 pm

Test tubes with samples of blood being tested for Covid-19.

A total of 29 people in the north and north-east have died of coronavirus since the pandemic began.

Figures published by the Scottish Government this afternoon have given a regional breakdown on the number of deaths for the first time.

Coronavirus in Scotland – track the spread in these charts and maps

There have been 16 coronavirus-related deaths in the Highlands, 12 in Grampian and one in Shetland.

The highest number of deaths in Scotland is in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, where 122 have been recorded.

The number of positive tests in the north and north-east has increased by 24 since yesterday’s update.

There are now 223 cases in Grampian, up by 13, 122 in the Highlands, up by 10, and 43 in Shetland, up by one.

There remains four cases each in Orkney and the Western Isles.

Deaths have also now been broken down by age in the latest Scottish Government figures.

More than 60% of all deaths involving Covid-19 in Scotland were people aged 75 or over.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “These new weekly figures include more detailed information than previously.

“These breakdowns show that those who are older are more likely to die of Covid-19 but they show that nobody is immune, so everybody should follow the instructions.

Update on #coronavirus testing

As of 2pm today, 26,226 Scottish tests have concluded

21,661 confirmed negative
4,565 positive

366 patients who tested positive have sadly died.

Our latest update ➡️ https://t.co/kZjGNz2EDe
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/H5SR0kqcKg

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) April 8, 2020

“I understand that the figures can make us feel powerless and something we can’t see or feel is taking lives but by following the rules and by self-isolating, all of us can help to reduce the number of deaths.”