256 deaths in Edinburgh and Lothians linked to Covid-19 according to new figures

A total of 256 deaths in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been linked to Covid-19 so far this year, according to new figures.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Data released today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows a further 108 deaths were recorded in the NHS Lothian board area between Monday, April 13th and Sunday April 19th, bringing the total to 256.

The NRS report is published weekly on Wednesdays and contains figures up to the latest Sunday. The statistics cover any deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate.

Read More
67 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Edinburgh and Lothians as Scotland's death to...
The NRS data suggests the actual death toll in Scotland is much higher than that shown by the Government's official daily figures.The NRS data suggests the actual death toll in Scotland is much higher than that shown by the Government's official daily figures.
The NRS data suggests the actual death toll in Scotland is much higher than that shown by the Government's official daily figures.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This week’s report has revealed that, as of April 19th, there have been 1,616 deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This represents a jump of 654 deaths since Sunday, April 12th where the total number of Covid-19 linked deaths stood at 962.

It represents a far bigger increase than suggested by the Scottih Government’s current death toll of 1,062, which is based on those who died and tested positive for the virus.

The Scottish Governmnt’s daily figures, published today at 2pm, also show that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in NHS Lothian has increased from 1,426 cases to 1,515, an increase of 89 cases in the past 24 hours.

‘Devastating impact’

For context on the NRS data, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from April 13th-19th was 1,911 – nearly 80 per cent higher than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years (1,067). Of these 844 excess deaths, three quarters were deaths where covid-19 was the underlying cause of death.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The latest NRS report says that a third of all registered deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in care homes, with 56 per cent in hospitals and 10 per cent at home or other settings.

Almost three quarters of all registered deaths involving Covid-19 to date were people aged 75 or over. Of all deaths to date involving Covid-19, 55 per cent were male and 45 per cent were female.

Theresa Fyffe, Director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Scotland, said: “Today’s figures again show the devastating impact this virus is having on the most vulnerable in our communities, with a third of all deaths involving COVID-19 occurring in care homes.

“Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and the staff who have cared for them. The steps outlined by the Cabinet Secretary yesterday should provide additional support to Scotland’s care homes but staff on-the ground need to be assured that they will be given the resources and equipment they need, when they need it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The RCN has been speaking out on behalf of care home staff and residents and will continue to do so.”

Other Scottish health boards

NHS Lothian has now recorded 256 deaths linked to Covid-19, which represents 2.9 deaths per 10,000 of the population.

NHS Lothian has the second highest total number of Covid-19 deaths after NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where 513 people have died – a death rate of 4.4 deaths per 10,000 – which makes it the highest in Scotland both in terms of actual deaths and death rate.

NHS Lanarkshire comes third in the list for Scotland after NHS Lothian with 228 Covid-19 linked deaths but with a higher death rate of 3.5 deaths per 10,000.