Coronavirus in Scotland: Covid-19 deaths in care homes overtake those in hospital

More than half of all Covid-19 deaths in Scotland last week happened in care homes.

Covid-19 deaths in care homes in Scotland have now overtaken those in hospitals, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The latest weekly figures released by NRS showed that in total, 1,818 people have died in Scotland’s care homes, compared to 1,815 in the country’s hospitals.

Overall, 3,911 deaths in Scotland were registered as linked to Covid-19 up to May 31.

Covid-19 deaths in care homes in Scotland (1,818) have now overtaken those in hospitals (1,815). (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

There were 131 deaths relating to Covid-19 registered between May 25 and May 31, down 99 on the previous week.

It marks the fifth consecutive weekly reduction in deaths involving the virus.The number of deaths in care homes also fell for a fifth week in a row, down by 56 from last week to 68.

The statistics are published weekly and account for all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

They differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government because they include suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.

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