Two more coronavirus deaths in Scotland, Sturgeon confirms

Two more confirmed coronavirus patients have died in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The deaths are the first to be newly registered of people who first tested positive in the previous 28 days since July 16, the first minister said.

They take the toll under this measure to 2,494.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said: “I think all of us have become used to hearing news of no deaths under these daily figures.

“These two new deaths today are, of course, devastating for those who will be grieving the loss but they should also be a reminder to us that the threat of Covid hasn’t yet gone away.”

She said 67 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 19,988.

“These deaths... should be a reminder to us that the threat of Covid hasn’t yet gone away. NICOLA STURGEON

The first minister added that, of those who tested positive, 249 were in hospital – up six in 24 hours.

Of these, two were in intensive care, a rise of one.

Separate figures from the National Records of Scotland showed that by Sunday August 23 there had been 4,222 deaths where coronavirus was either confirmed or suspected.

That includes six deaths over the period of the week to August 23, Ms Sturgeon said – three more than the previous week.

Four of those deaths were in care homes, she added.

She went on to state the total deaths recorded last week from all causes was 40 higher than the five-year average for the same time of year.

However, the first minister stressed this figure could “fluctuate”.