44 more people have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the death toll in Scotland by this measure to 1,559, according to the Scottish Government.

Authorities also confirmed that 11,927 people had now tested positive for the virus - an increase of 273 since yesterday.

Across Scotland, 1,674 of those were receiving treatment in hospital – a decrease of 135 in one day.

108 people are in intensive care across Scotland – two fewer than in the figure 24 hours ago.

The latest figures come after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an expansion to coronavirus testing north of the border.

There will be expanded testing of care home staff and residents, with all over-65s who show symptoms of the virus also being tested.

She set a target for testing capacity to increase to 10,500 by the end of next week, including both Scottish NHS laboratories and the UK Government's testing network

She said on Friday: "This expansion of testing that I set out today is separate and distinct from our move to establish a test, trace, isolate system as part of our approach to changing and hopefully alleviating the lockdown measures."

The First Minister said she will say more on that strategy next week.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director

44 new coronavirus deaths in Scotland as number being treated in hospitals falls

Comments