Number of coronavirus deaths in Forth Valley revealed

Twenty-seven people have died in Forth Valley after contracting coronavirus.
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The latest National Record of Scotland (NRS) figures revealed for the first time the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having at a local level in terms of deaths.

The 27 people who lost their lives in Forth Valley account for 2.7 per cent of deaths in the health board since the start of 2020.

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There also continues to be a day-on-day rise in the number of cases in the region.

A drive through testing centre has been set up at Falkirk Community Hospital amid the COVID-19 crisis. Picture: Michael Gillen.A drive through testing centre has been set up at Falkirk Community Hospital amid the COVID-19 crisis. Picture: Michael Gillen.
A drive through testing centre has been set up at Falkirk Community Hospital amid the COVID-19 crisis. Picture: Michael Gillen.

As of today, there are 259 confirmed cases — up by 16 on yesterday — with 107 people in hospital at midnight on Tuesday confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19. The number of people in intensive care in Forth Valley with either confirmed or suspected cases stood at nine as of that point.

Falkirk East MSP Angus MacDonald said: “Clearly, we are living in unprecedented times, and my deepest sympathy goes to the 27 families who have lost loved ones through coronavirus in Forth Valley.

“It must be highlighted that the latest statistics include any deaths when COVID-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, whether it is the underlying cause of death or a contributing cause.

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“The figures bring home the need to stay at home and only leave when you can’t avoid it, wash your hands regularly and don’t touch your face.

“If we all hold fast to these basic rules then we will get through this national emergency quicker and see the restrictions lifted sooner rather than later.”

Data from the NRS also suggests more people than originally recorded could have died as a result of the virus in Scotland, with the newest information linking 354 deaths nationally to coronavirus as of April 5.

The figure previously announced had been 220, although this was seen as an under-estimate due to delays in reporting.

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The NRS number is higher than the daily number published by the Scottish Government because the NRS’ figures include deaths outside of hospital and all cases where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde has recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths of all Scottish health board (122), followed by Lanarkshire (48) and Lothian (41).

COVID-19 was mentioned on 16.2 per cent of all death certificates in Scotland between March 30 and April 5.

As of today, a total of 26,226 people in Scotland had been tested and, of these, 4565 returned as positive, with 366 patients who tested positive having died. Those over the age of 75 account for 60 per cent of the total.