COVID-19 related deaths up52%
Blighted by fires and thugs with weapons
The number of deaths in Perth and Kinross where COVID-19 was a factor has increased by 52 per cent, according to the latest figures.
Statistics from the National Records of Scotland show 38 deaths recorded in the region up until Sunday, April 26 had the coronavirus listed on the death certificate.
That is an increase of 13 in a week from 25 on April 19.
The data, released on Wednesday, shows eight of the deaths were in care homes with a further four at home or in a non-institution setting.
Twenty-six of the deaths were in hospital.
The figures were released
Residents in a group of flats in Perth city centre have told how they are living in fear after a spate of incidents over the past few weeks.
The Pomarium Flats are, according to those living there, a hive of violence, drug abuse and anti-social behaviour.
Speaking to the PA, a number of residents said the flats were also blighted by deliberate fires and emergency services were there almost every day.
Fearful citizens say they have witnessed thugs with weapons attempting to break into one of the blocks, a bin chute being set ablaze a number of times and yobs attempting to enter homes in broad daylight despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Another said they had seen discarded needles.
The group of fedup residents have now spoken out to the PA about their ordeal and called for action to clean up the area they call home.
Alice Pearce and her partner Tim Dahm live in different blocks at Pomarium.
She said: “I would say there is at least half a dozen I know in my block, and my partner knows of others in his block who feel the same way.
“There are a lot of elderly people who live here who are afraid to come out of their houses and that should not be the case.
“Some of them have been here when the flats were built so to not feel safe now is very sad.”