Scottish government announces a further 46 deaths bringing total to 218
By Democrat reporter (source BBC Scotland)
Figures released on Saturday evening show that a further 46 people with coronavirus have died in Scotland, bringing the total to 218.
The Scottish government said 3,345 people had now tested positive for the virus, an increase of 344 from Friday.
In total, 20,798 patients have been tested across the country.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney expressed sympathy on behalf of the Scottish government to families affected.
He told BBC Scotland: “I think this is demonstrating the gravity of situation we face as a society.
“It reinforces importance of the measures that have been taken – to ask people to stay very close to home and to only leave home in exceptional circumstances.
“It demonstrates the gravity of suffering that families the length and breadth of the country have become accustomed to.”
They were not tested for the virus because they were not admitted to hospital.
Staff at Burlington Court Care Home, Cranhill, said they were “closely monitoring” the health of other people in their care and that “strict protocols” were in place.
Mr Swinney said the news of the deaths was “absolutely heartbreaking” and again expressed his condolences to every family affected.
He added: “This demonstrates the severity of the coronavirus and why we’ve got to take the steps that have been taken – for example to not visit relatives and friends who are in care homes.
“We’ve made very clear about the importance of supporting the social care sector in making sure all the necessary precautions are taken.”
Coronavirus quick guide: How to stay safe
The first coronavirus case in Scotland was detected on 1 March by NHS Tayside and the number of patients testing positive for Covid-19 has risen steadily since then.
However, Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, has estimated that the actual number of cases could be 50 times higher than the official figure.
Meanwhile, if you’re anywhere near the banks of the Clyde tonight and see bright lights in the sky, don’t worry, the aliens have not landed.
Glasgow’s SSE Hydro is following the example of thousands around the country who have displayed drawings and paintings of rainbows to show their support for key workers and boost morale during the coronavirus crisis.
“We, like everyone, have been blown away by the fantastic ‘Rainbow Trail’ drawings appearing from children up and down the country,” said a message from the venue.
“We’re displaying our own sign of hope and raising spirits by turning The SSE Hydro all the colours of the rainbow tonight.”
Does disinfecting public areas make a difference?
A municipal worker spraying disinfectant in the streets of Madrid.
Professor Jason Leitch, the Scottish Government’s national clinical director, says that disinfecting outdoor public areas will make little difference in the fight to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“There is not a lot of evidence that it does much other than perhaps create a bit of a spectacle,” he told BBC Radio Scotland’s Off The Ball programme.
“This virus lives on surfaces; it doesn’t survive out in the wild too much so the big disinfections you might see don’t really do much for this particular fight.
“People staying at home, washing their hands and breaking the cycle is the best way.”
Funny thing I just noticed….after 67 years. I never wash my hands. I always use a scrubbing brush. Your nails get dirty if you don’t.
Another thing. When this is over there’s going to be a hell of a postmortem….over the stats, evidence, proof and Gov and MSM and corporate business responses. All I would say in advance of that is nobody lives on a lawless planet and everyone had a duty of care to proceed with caution…BEFORE THE FACT. Safety first.
One worry here is that these figures are for people who contract the virus and have died in hospital. They do not include the 13 people who died in a week in the Glasgow care home and they do not include people who have died at home or in care homes or elsewhere. As Dr Catherine Calderwood, the Chief Medical Officer, has repeated many times, there could be many more deaths than are recorded here. And there could be thousands more who have contracted the virus here in Scotland.