Weekly Covid death rates rising threefold
Weekly coronavirus deaths are rising at a threefold rate, latest figures have revealed.
The National Records of Scotland ( NRS) stats show 75 Scots died between October 12- 18 – representing an increase of 50 on the previous week.
The NRS figures take into account all deaths where Covid- 19 was mentioned on the death certificate, meaning they include care home fatalities.
Of these deaths, over three quarters occurred in hospitals representing 58 deaths, 12 occurred in care homes and 5 at home or in a non- institutional setting.
Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “This is the highest weekly total since the beginning of June, and represents a threefold increase from the 25 deaths registered in the previous week.”
To put these statistics into context, the total number of all- cause deaths registered in the week ending October 18 was 1,129 – 6% higher than the average over the previous five years.
Meanwhile coronavirus cases in Ayrshire are continuing to soar. In the past seven days 759 positive tests have been reported across the region.
Latest figures also revealed five NHS Ayrshire & Arran patients have died from coronavirus in the last week.
That means a total of 191 people from Ayrshire have now passed away after testing positive for the virus.
Of the deaths in the past week none were from South Ayrshire, two were from East Ayrshire and three were from North Ayrshire.
The tragic news came as one more Scot died from coronavirus on Monday, with the nation’s death toll for those having tested positive now at 2,701.
However NRS say 4,376 deaths have now been registered where Covid- 19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Across Ayrshire 97 new cases of Covid- 19 were recorded on Monday alone.
A total of 83 people were in NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospitals with recently confirmed Covid – with seven in intensive care.
Across Scotland 1,122 cases were reported on Monday and 1,052 people were in hospital on Monday with Covid. Of these 90 were in intensive care.