Scotland records highest daily rise in coronavirus deaths since mid-June

The deaths of seven coronavirus patients have been recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the highest rise since mid-June.

Nicola Sturgeon said the deaths, of people who first tested positive for the virus in the previous 28 days, are a “very sharp reminder” of the danger of Covid-19.

The latest fatalities increase the overall death toll under that measure to 2,519.

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said: “That figure of seven deaths is the highest I have had to report at one of these briefings since June 17.

“It is therefore a very sharp reminder that Covid is an extremely dangerous virus, as well as a highly infectious one.”

She added the latest National Records of Scotland figures published on Wednesday records 4,257 deaths from confirmed or suspected coronavirus up to Sunday September 27.

Of these, 10 were recorded in the previous week – five in hospital, four in care homes and one at home or in another non-institutional setting.

Ms Sturgeon added: “We, of course, should never think of these deaths as statistics, every single one of them represents the loss of a unique and irreplaceable individual.

“I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one, and that particularly includes those who have lost loved ones in the last few days.”

She said Scotland has recorded 640 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, representing 10.3% of newly-tested individuals, down from 11.5% on Tuesday.

A total of 29,244 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 28,604 the previous day.

There are 137 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up 14 in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 14 are in intensive care – down two from the revised figure of 16 for the previous day.

The First Minister also highlighted weekly figures showing a 60% increase in hospital admissions.

In the week to Friday September 26, 94 people were in hospital, up from 58 the previous week.