'Covid-19 death' in Western Isles reported in error

NHS Western Isles has said a patient death in the area originally attributed to coronavirus was incorrectly recorded.

One death involving Covid-19 in the health board area was reported in the National Records of Scotland’s weekly update.

But the health board said this is “unfortunate misinformation” and that there have still been no deaths linked to the virus in the Western Isles.

A person who was admitted to hospital on the islands with Covid-19 symptoms and then tested “tragically passed away before the test result was received”.

Coronavirus was initially recorded on the death certificate but the test result turned out to be negative.

The first three confirmed Covid-19 cases on the islands were reported on April 1. There are currently six in total.

A spokeswoman for NHS Western Isles said: “NHS Western Isles would like to correct the unfortunate misinformation that is currently being reported with regard to a death related to Covid-19 in the Western Isles.

“This information was not clarified with NHS Western Isles prior to publication.

“One Covid-19 related death was reported for the Western Isles today by National Records of Scotland.

“NHS Western Isles can confirm that this relates to an individual who was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 symptoms.

“The individual was tested for Covid-19 whilst in hospital, but tragically passed away before the test result was received back.”

She added: ” To clarify, there have been no Covid-19 related deaths in the Western Isles.”