89 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Edinburgh and Lothians as Scotland's death toll rises by 58
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The latest Scottish Government figures, published at 2pm today, show an increase from 1,515 to 1,604 coronavirus cases in the NHS Lothian board area. But there are 11 less people in hospital in the region with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, and two less in intensive care, compared to Wednesday.
It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed today that a further 58 people have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the official death toll to 1,120.
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Hide AdHowever, data released on Wednesday by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed that, as of April 19th, there have been 1,616 deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
A third of all registered deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in care homes, according to the NRS figures.
The NRS data showed that 256 people who have died this year in the NHS Lothian area were confirmed or suspected to have had coronavirus.
Ms Sturgeon also said during her daily briefing today that social distancing and limited contact with others will be a “fact of life for a long time to come,” at least until treatment or a vaccine becomes available, “possibly for the rest of this year and maybe beyond.”
She said gatherings in pubs and at public events were likely to be banned and restricted for some time, and that pupils might not be able to attend school at the same time due to social distancing.