61 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Lothians as Scotland death toll rises by 13

Sixty-one new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the NHS Lothian area, with a further 13 cases of people with the virus dying in Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed today that a total of 1,993 people have now tested positive for coronavirus, up 430 cases since Monday. However, 108 of these were from a laboratory which had been unable to submit data over the weekend which partially explains the jump in the number of positive tests.

Ms Sturgeon stressed once again on Tuesday that the actual number of cases of coronavirus in Scotland is likely to be far higher than the figures show.

The number of confirmed coronavirus case in the NHS Lothian board area has risen again. Pic: Shutterstock/Mark Scates/SNS Group.

With the UK-wide lockdown now entering its second week, Ms Sturgeon urged people to continue to stick to the social distancing rules.

The latest Scottish Government figures, published online at 2pm, revealed there are now 269 coronavirus caes in the NHS Lothian board area – up from 208 on Monday.

A total of 1,993 tests in Scotland were positive and 13,902 came back negative. A total of 60 patients who tested positive have died.

Coronavirus cases in Scotland

Ayrshire and Arran – 177 (increase of 23 in last 24 hours)

Borders – 77 (increase of 14 in last 24 hours)

Dumfries and Galloway – 92 (increase of 18)

Fife – 76 (increase of 6)

Forth Valley – 131 (increase of 28)

Grampian – 86 (increase of 20)

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 547 (increase of 98)

Highland – 51 (increase of 7)

Lanarkshire – 224 (increase of 27)

Lothian – 269 (increase of 61)

Shetland – 29 (increase of 2)

Tayside – 214 (increase of 106)

Coronavirus symptoms

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Coronavirus is a respiratory disease which seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After a week it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment.

In more severe cases, coronavirus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, multiple organ failure and even death.

Those with weakened immune systems - older people and those with underlying health conditions like asthma or heart disease - are more likely to become severely ill.

The World Health Organisation says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.

Protecting yourself against coronavirus

The Scottish Government website offers the following advice from NHS Inform to help reduce the risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections by:

- Avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Maintaining good hand hygiene - washing hands with soap and water or alcohol sanitiser: After coughing or sneezing; going to toilet; before eating and drinking.

- Avoiding direct contact with people that have respiratory illness and avoid using their personal items such as mobile phones.

- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and disposing of them in the nearest waste bin after use.

Anyone who thinks they may be affected by coronavirus should call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, there have been nearly 778,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide with more than 37,000 deaths.

The outbreak originated in China's Hubei province in December before spreading globally.