Scotland has highest Covid rate in UK, according to ONS survey

Scotland has the highest coronavirus rate compared to other UK countries, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Sign that reads "Back Soon" in the window of a closed shop in Edinburgh city centre, as lockdown measures for mainland Scotland continue picture: PA/Jane Barlow

In the week ending March 13, figures from the study show one in 275 people in the country tested positive for the virus.

It also highlighted cases had increased during this week.

Yet in England the Covid rate equated to around one in 340 people and Wales it was estimated to be to around one in 430 people in the same week.

In both countries, ONS confirmed the number of Covid-19 cases had decreased over the seven day period.

In Northern Ireland, the rate of people testing positive was about one in 315 people and compared to other weeks. Cases seemed to be level with previous weeks but ONS said this study was completed with “high uncertainty.”

ONS estimated that in the most recent week – 7 to 13 March – the percentage of the population in Scotland that had the coronavirus was 0.37 per cent.

The latest data shows the increase in the proportion of people estimated to have the virus in Scotland is likely driven by those aged under around 50. It also showed the proportion of people aged over 70 testing positive for Covid may still be decreasing in the latest week.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman revealed Scotland recorded eight new deaths and 655 new cases of Covid during a coronavirus briefing on Friday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed this week that more than two million people in Scotland have now received their first dose of the vaccine.

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