More than 1,000 positive cases confirmed in Scotland as death toll reaches 33

A further 165 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed since yesterday bringing the country’s total to 1, 059.

Eight more people have died since contracting COVID-19 making Scotland’s death toll stand at 33 to date, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

The First Minister announced 72 of those patients diagnosed with the virus are in intensive care.

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In her address to the country this afternoon she said: “We’re just entering first weekend in lockdown. We must continue to reach out and support each other. And continue to do the right thing for sake of NHS and the most vulnerable - that means staying at home.”

More than 1,000 positive cases confirmed in Scotland as death toll reaches 33, according to First MinisterMore than 1,000 positive cases confirmed in Scotland as death toll reaches 33, according to First Minister
More than 1,000 positive cases confirmed in Scotland as death toll reaches 33, according to First Minister

More than 65,000 Scots are now likely to be infected with coronavirus, Scotland's chief medical officer has said.

Dr Catherine Calderwood set out the full extent of the expected outbreak as the new cases were confirmed.

But Dr Calderwood said the virus is likely to be far more widespread.

"I am now estimating that there are now 65,000 people in Scotland infected," she said today.

"The importance there is that only 1,000 or so people have actually been confirmed. So the vast majority of those people maybe do not realise they have Coronavirus or perhaps

have symptoms and thank you to them for self-isolating and keeping away from other people.”

The latest estimate is up from the 40-50,000 people she predicted on Thursday.

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Speaking alongside Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh, Dr Calderwood said there will come a time when she can talk about the numbers of infected slowing,

but "that time is not yet and will not be for some weeks to come".

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would be putting an additional £3.8 million into NHS mental health support services.

She said: "Half a million of that will support the Breathing Space phone line and web service and £2.1 million will be for the NHS mental health hub which offers advice on wellbeing and mental health issues to people who have called the NHS 24 service."

She added that the mental health hub will expand its staffing so it is available to the public 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

The money will also include £1.2 million to provide extra capacity for Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT).

Latest Scotland figures

Ayrshire and Arran – 75

Borders – 28

Dumfries and Galloway – 47

Fife – 41

Forth Valley – 81

Grampian – 45

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 299

Highland – 33

Lanarkshire – 140

Lothian – 139

Shetland – 24

Tayside – 107

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