First death of coronavirus patient in Scotland confirmed

The first death of a patient in Scotland after contracting coronavirus has been confirmed by Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood.

The patient was being treated in the Lothian health board area and died in hospital.

The person was older and had underlying health conditions.

It comes as cases of Covid-19 jumped from 60 to 85 in a day in Scotland, with 20 cases in the Lothian region.

The only place with more is Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where 21 patients have contracted coronavirus.

The UK formally moved to the second “delay phase” of its strategy to tackle the virus on Friday, with anyone with even mild symptoms like a cough or a fever ordered to stay at home for seven days.

Calderwood said: “I am saddened to report that a patient in Scotland who has tested positive for coronavirus has died in hospital.

“I offer my deepest sympathy to their friends and family at this difficult time.

“The patient, who was being treated by Lothian health board was an older person who had underlying health conditions.

“No further information will be available to protect patient confidentiality.”

NHS Lothian medical director Dr Tracy Gillies said: “To protect confidentiality, we are unable to discuss individual patients or staff, however we would like to offer reassurance that NHS Lothian has stringent measures in place to minimise risks around COVID-19.

“If people are experiencing symptoms indicative of coronavirus – a fever or persistent cough – they should self-isolate for seven days.

“If their condition deteriorates or has not improved in seven days they should call their GP, or 111 if out of hours, where they will receive help.

“People must not approach any healthcare services in person.”

With a ban on public gatherings of 500 or more in Scotland as of Monday, events around the country have been cancelled across the country. Check here for the latest.

All schools on Shetland, where there have now been 11 cases, will be shut for a week from Monday, along with early learning and childcare provision.

Aberdeen University and the University of the West of Scotland have both suspended classes on campus.

Across the UK, 798 people have tested positive for coronavirus – up 208 on the day before.

Health officials have said they believe the actual number of people infected in Britain could be between 5000 and 10,000.

It comes as the World Health Organisation said on Friday that Europe has become the “epicentre” of the global pandemic which started in China.

Meanwhile US President Donald Trump has admitted that he may add the United Kingdom to a list of countries banned from travelling to the states during the outbreak.

Trump said: “We are looking at it based on the new numbers that are coming out and we may have took at adding them (the UK) to the list that we will ban during this period of time.”