HOUSE PARTIES BUSTED DURING DEADLIESTWEEK Fines as highest death rate figures revealed
Two house parties were busted in Perth and Kinross by police as the region came to the end of its joint deadliest week of the COVID-19 pandemic so far.
Despite restrictions in place to try and prevent the spread of the pathogen, gatherings in Coupar Angus and Milnathort were broken up over the weekend.
And just days later, figures released by the National Records of Scotland showed 13 deaths recorded in the region mentioned the coronavirus on the death certificate between Monday, January 4 and Sunday, January 10.
Only one other week has recorded 13 deaths - the week beginning April 20 last year with the total number now sitting at 146.
It comes as news broke that the number of COVID-19 patients in Tayside hospitals is 66 per cent higher than at the peak of the first wave.
Police confirmed nine fixed penalty notices were issued on Saturday, January 9 when officers discovered a party at a property on Trades Lane in Coupar Angus.
And the next day, four people were issued with fines for flouting the rules at a property in Milnathort’s New Road.
Reacting to the news, Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said there was “unfortunately still a small minority who are endangering the health of themselves and others”.
He added: “As the daily case numbers and death totals show, we are facing a profound challenge in trying to suppress this virus.
“Accordingly, I would ask those who are currently not following the current guidelines to be mindful of their responsibilities to others, and to remember that we are asking them to take these actions to save lives.
“I am hugely grateful to the vast majority of people who are sticking to the rules, and I thank them once more for their ongoing sacrifices.”
As the PA went to press, NHS Tayside had 174 COVID patients in hospital and 10 in intensive care.
Figures - published daily on the Scottish Government website - show this number has risen sharply over the past fortnight from 57 COVID patients in Tayside hospitals on January 1.
At the peak of the first wave in April 2019, the highest number of COVID patients reported in NHS Tayside hospitals was 105 on April 8.
The figures today of 174 COVID patients in Tayside hospitals show a significant 66 per cent increase.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “We are seeing an increase in community prevalence of COVID-19 which has resulted in a continued increase in admissions to our hospitals over the last few weeks and more critically ill patients are being cared for in our COVID high dependency unit and COVID intensive care unit.
“Our clinical teams across Tayside are continuing to work hard to make sure we can keep caring for everyone who needs it in hospitals and communities. It is now more important than ever that the people of Tayside continue their efforts to reduce the transmission of the virus.
“We need everyone to keep doing their part, following the guidance and sticking to the rules. We will get through this together and please know that our staff will keep providing care and treatment in these extraordinary times.”