COVID-19 deaths at lowest level since March

Coronavirus deaths in South Lanarkshire fell by more than 60 per cent last week to reach the lowest level since the end of March.

One week after recording the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Scotland, South Lanarkshire recorded five deaths – the third biggest in the country.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland revealed that last week saw the lowest number of Covid-19 related deaths since the first three deaths were recorded in the area in the week ending March 29.

However, only Glasgow (10) and Edinburgh (six) recorded a higher number of Covid-19 related deaths than South Lanarkshire last week.

Three of the five deaths occurred in the region’s hospitals, with the other two in care homes.

That brings the total number of coronavirus deaths in South Lanarkshire to 300, of which 136 were in care homes, 134 were in hospital and 30 were in other settings including at home.

Neighbouring North Lanarkshire recorded its lowest level of weekly deaths at four – none of which occurred in the region’s care homes.

In total, there have been 261 deaths where coronavirus was listed on the death certificate in North Lanarkshire. Of those, 91 were in care homes, 147 in hospital and 23 were in other settings including at home.

That takes the total number of coronavirus deaths in Lanarkshire to 561 as of Sunday, June 14.

Lanarkshire as a whole remains the second-worst affected health board in Scotland with 8.5 deaths for every 10,000 people. Only Greater Glasgow and Clyde has seen a higher death rate (11).

At 1300, only Greater Glasgow and Clyde has a higher number of total coronavirus deaths than Lanarkshire.

Last week was the seventh consecutive week in which coronavirus deaths in Scotland decreased. There were 70 across the country bringing the total to 4070.

More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of those who have died were aged 75 or over, with 47 per cent of deaths occurring in care homes.

The figures released by the National Records of Scotland include all deaths up to Sunday, June 14.