47 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Lothians as Scotland's death toll rises by 81

A further 47 people in the NHS Lothian board area have been confirmed to have Covid-19.

The latest Scottish Government figures show a rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases from 700 to 747 in the past 24 hours.

Data also shows a drop of six people in hospital and a drop of two people in intensive care within the Lothians who are suspected or confirmed to have the virus, as of midnight.

The figures come after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Thursday that a further 81 people in Scotland have died after contracting Covid-19, bringing the latest total to 447.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest Covid-19 figures for Scotland today.

She said 4,957 people had now tested positive for the virus, up from 4,565 on Wednesday, but stressed once again that these figures would be an under-estimate.

The First Minister also said the coronavirus lockdown in Scotland is likely to continue for “some weeks to come,” stressing that it would be vital not to lift restrictions “prematurely” as the virus could spread out of control and overhwelm the NHS.

The National Records of Scotland publishes a weekly breakdown of the Covid-19 figures by region and age. Their lates data, for the year up to April 5th, says that 41 deaths recorded in the NHS Lothian board area have been linked to Covid-19.