Virus death toll reaches low point as percentage of overall fatalities

The number of deaths from Covid-19 has fallen to 12% of all deaths – the lowest weekly total since late March.

Figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that as of May 31, 3,911 deaths were registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, up 99 from the previous week to May 24.

But deaths involving coronavirus as a proportion of all deaths fell to 12% in the week up to May 31, having reached a high of 36% in the week of April 20.

It is the fifth weekly reduction in a row of deaths involving the virus and the lowest weekly total since late March.

The data also reveals there have now been more deaths related to Covid-19 in care homes than hospitals in Scotland although, this has fallen for a fifth week in a row.

It takes the overall care home deaths total, as of May 31, to 1,818.

Meanwhile, the NRS figures show a further 13 deaths in Grampian and the Highlands in the last week.

The regional breakdown shows that in total there were 240 Grampian deaths, up nine from last week, and 111 in the Highlands, up four.

At First Minister’s

Questions yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the figures were “far higher” than anyone would wish.

But she added: “These numbers do provide further grounds for optimism.

“The weekly number of Covid-19 deaths has now fallen for five weeks in a row.

“They are now at one fifth of their peak level, excess deaths are one eighth of their peak level and deaths in care homes are also now falling week on week.

“The figures, in my view, reinforce the decision we took last week to ease some lockdown restrictions but to do so very slowly and carefully.

“The progress we have made is obvious but it is still fragile it could very easily be reversed.

“That’s why it is still important that all of us stick to the current guidance, people should still be staying home most of the time and meeting fewer people than normal.

“Life should not feel entirely normal at present.”

Pete Whitehouse, director of Statistical Services, said: “Across Scotland the number of Covid-19-related deaths registered in the week ending May 31 was 131 – the lowest weekly total since late March.

“We will continue to review and develop these statistics as new information is made available.”