First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: Covid-19 deaths surpass 1,000

Coronavirus-linked deaths in Scotland have reached 1,616.

Speaking from St Andrew’s House, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 77 more people who tested positive for the virus had died in the past 24 hours.

It brings the total number of deaths using that measure to 1,062.

Earlier today, National Records of Scotland released its weekly statistics on Covid-related deaths – which include probable cases of coronavirus, as well as deaths of people who tested positive for the disease.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gives a COVID-19 press briefing at St Andrews House

According to the NRS measure of deaths, 1,616 people have died so far in Scotland’s outbreak.

The NRS figures suggest that, between April 13 and April 19, 651 people have died in Scotland – a far bigger increase than the government’s daily statistics had suggested.

One third of all coronavirus-linked deaths occurred in care homes.

Ms Sturgeon also said that the number of positive cases had jumped by 366 since yesterday, bringing the total to 9,038.

1,776 people have been hospitalised – 155 of those in intensive care units across the country.

Ms Sturgeon said that, as of March 5, 1,813 people across Scotland had been discharged from hospital who had previously tested positive.