Covid-related deaths in Scotland double to 20 in a week

Coronavirus deaths in Scotland doubled to 20 last week, according to the latest figures.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) data shows that between September 28 and October 4, 20 deaths were registered that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate – an increase of 10 from the previous week.

As of Sunday, 4,276 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Of the deaths in the week to Sunday, six occurred in care homes, 13 in hospitals and one in another institution.

The NRS figures differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government using Health Protection Scotland data because the former includes suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.

Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services at NRS, said: “Every death is a source of grief and heartbreak and represents unimaginable loss for all those who have lost loved ones due to this virus.

“The latest figures show that the number of people dying from Covid-19 remains low, especially when compared to the peak week in mid-April when 661 Covid-19-related deaths were registered.

“However, over the last week we have seen the number of deaths increase from 10 to 20.

“NRS will continue to monitor Covid-19 mortality and work with the Scottish Government to understand the impact and spread of the virus in Scotland.”