Coronavirus in Edinburgh: 57 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Lothians as Scotland death toll reaches 542

There are now 856 confirmed cases in NHS Lothian.

The latest Scottish Government figures have revealed coronavirus cases in the NHS Lothian health board have risen from 799 to 856 – up 57 since yesterday.

A total of 36 Covid-19 patients are now being treated in intensive care units across the region as of midnight.

The government reported on Saturday afternoon a further 47 deaths linked to the virus have been recorded in Scotland, taking the overall death toll to 542.

The new recovery room for Coronavirus patients at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary. Picture: Andrew O'Briend

Nicola Sturgeon has urged people across the nation to combat the spread of the disease by staying at home over Easter.

The UK Government’s official guidance clearly states that people should only be leaving their homes for reasons like getting food, medical care, essential work and exercising once a day. While outdoors, people should maintain a two metre distance with people of another household at all times.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said on Friday that officers across the country have issued more than 500 fixed penalty notices to those breaching the guidance.

He said most of these fines are down to people having house parties and people gathering outdoors, even after police initially have initially warned them.

The National Records of Scotland will also be publishing weekly data on Sunday with an updated breakdown of the number of deaths by health board in Scotland.