Coronavirus: New Lothians case confirmed as Scottish total rises to 16

New Lothians coronavirus case confirmed

Five new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Scotland – including one new case in the Lothians.

Fresh statistics released by the Scottish Government on Saturday show a total of 16 people have now been confirmed as having contracted the COVID-19 virus.

The positive cases have been rising steadily since Scotland’s first coronavirus case – a patient in Tayside - was announced six days ago.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Lothians has risen.

Across Scotland’s health boards a total of 1680 people have been tested since the start of the outbreak, with the vast majority coming back as negative.

Two people in the Lothians have now been confirmed as coronavirus patients following today’s update, with the first announced in the region less than 24 hours earlier.

UK-wide, more than 200 people have now tested positive for coronavirus, the Department of Health has said.

In total, 206 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 7am on Saturday, an increase of 42 from 164 cases confirmed on Friday.

The Department of Health said more than 21,000 people in the UK had been tested for the virus.

On Friday, it was confirmed that a man in his early 80s had become the second person to die in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.

The man, who had underlying health conditions, died on Thursday while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

On Thursday evening another patient, reported to be a woman in her 70s, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with Covid-19 while at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Common symptoms of the virus include high temperature or fever, cough and shortness of breath.

A free helpline has been set up for people who do not have symptoms but are looking for general advice: 0800 028 2816.

Overseas visitors to Scotland, regardless of their residency status, are exempt from NHS charges for both the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19).