17 die in region’s deadliest week yet
Last week was the most deadly of the COVID-19 pandemic in Perth and Kinross, it has been confirmed.
According to statistics from the National Records of Scotland, 17 people died from the coronavirus between January 11 and 17, bringing the total to 163.
The previous week had been the joint worst of the pandemic with 13 deaths.
It comes after the region experienced a spike in cases following the Christmas period with January 7 recording 93 positive tests - the highest figure yet.
That was 13 days after restrictions were relaxed to allow some mixing in people’s homes for Christmas Day. And on January 3 - just over a week after Christmas Day - over 80 people in the region tested positive.
In a bid to curb the coronavirus wave, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced this week that stay-at-home measures and school and nursery closures will be extended until at least “mid-February”.
Hub schools will stay open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
Ms Sturgeon added that she hopes a phased return of all pupils to class can begin next month, but said it is too early to tell if that will happen.
The restrictions will be reviewed on February 2.
There does, however, continue to be a cause for optimism with the number of positive cases gradually coming down.
According to data from Public Health Scotland, on January 17 the infection rate was 157.9 per 100,000 - a drop from 240.9 the week before.
The number of positive cases fell from 366 to 240 and the proportion of positive tests has also dropped from 9.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent.
However, a further 59 cases were recorded on Monday, according to Public Health Scotland, with only six on Tuesday, although that figure is likely to rise.
During Tuesday’s briefing MSP Sturgeon said: “There are cautious grounds for optimism.
“But it is still vital to protect the NHS and to save lives which these restrictions will do. The pressures on the NHS continues to be severe.
“Lockdown restrictions are beginning to have an impact, but we cannot afford to see the rate of infections rise again.”
Following the briefing, Perthshire North MSP and education secretary John Swinney added: “Whilst it is welcome news that case numbers are falling, we are not yet in a position to relax the current restrictions.
“It is worth noting that there are just under 2000 COVID patients in hospital today (January 19), which is around 30 per cent higher than the peak of the first wave in April of last year.
“Accordingly, it is crucial that we continue to suppress the virus and drive down case numbers.
“I know that news of this extension will be disappointing, and I am deeply grateful to the people of Perthshire for their continued understanding and sacrifices during this hugely difficult time.”