Scotland’s coronavirus death toll has risen by four, new figures showed today.
Latest data, released by the Scottish Government, show that 2,476 people have died of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic outbreak.
A total of 235,359 people have been tested through NHS labs and drive-through centres in Scotland. Results confirmed that 217,177 of these tests were negative and 18,182 were positive – an increase of 12 since Monday.
Of the people who have tested positive, 512 were in hospital as of last night and seven of whom were in intensive care. There are a further 14 people in intensive care with suspected Covid-19.
As of 2pm today 235,359 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
217,177 confirmed negative
18,182 positive2,476 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/bZPbrCoQux
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/hvXCDsF9Pk— Scottish Government (@scotgov) June 23, 2020
Two new cases of the virus were detected in the north and north-east during the past 24 hours, with one case confirmed in the Highlands and the other in Grampian.
The latest data brings the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the Highlands to 374 and 1,413 in Grampian.
On Orkney, there have been nine cases, seven in the Western isles and 54 on Shetland.
As of midnight, 50 people across the region were being treated for the disease in hospital.
Coronavirus in Scotland – track the spread in these charts and maps
Challenging times for Scots
Nicola Sturgeon said today the lockdown was the “most challenging” period in the lifetime of most Scots.
While saying “we still have work to do” and that the virus will pose a risk for some time to come, the First Minister added: “It’s also important to remind ourselves of the progress that we’ve made.”
She said: “Today we’re in a very different position. Hospital admissions which at one point were at 200 a day are currently in single figures every day.
“The number of people in intensive care has fallen by 90% and while it is the case that one person dying from this virus is one too many, we’ve also seen a very significant and sustained decline in the number of those deaths.”
The NHS did not “come close” to being overwhelmed, Nicola Sturgeon said, crediting the efforts of the Scottish people for the progress made in suppressing the virus.
The First Minister also said that the coronavirus pandemic had shown “the very best of Scotland”.
She added: “Our communities have rallied together in support of those in need, to check in on neighbours, to help people with shopping or simply to offer a friendly face.”
For shielded people, Ms Sturgeon said that images of grandparents reuniting with their families over the weekend after the easing of lockdown measures showed how difficult the last three months had been for them.
