Welcome news that Scotland's deaths from Coronavirus dips for ninth week in a row
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the weekly death toll from Covid-19 has shrunk for the ninth week in a row.
Official figures from the National Records of Scotland that record suspected as well as confirmed cases as a cause of death, there were 14 fewer fatalities in the week up to Sunday than the previous seven day period.
The nationwide toll now stands at 4155, up from 4070 last week, while there was more good news as the excess death total – those who died not just because of Covid-19 – fell below the five year average for the first time since March.
On top of that the daily statistics – which record the deaths of those of confirmed cases only – also provided more positive news on the trend after a spell of four days from Friday to Monday without any fatalities, there was just one new death in the last 24 hours confirmed.
Also related to the daily numbers was clarification that a large spike in suspected cases declined by two thirds overnight.
The Highlands having among the highest rates of fuel poverty in the country are likely to welcome news that from today the agency tasked with assisting those worst off heat their homes is to resume work.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I can confirm that an additional eight cases have been confirmed which takes the total number now to 18,259, a total of 785 patients are currently in hospital with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 which is a decrease of 100 since yesterday.
“That includes a decrease of 11 in the number of confirmed cases, you will recall from that yesterday there was quite a big increase in suspected cases so clearly that has gone in the other direction today.
“Unfortunately, in the past 24-hours one death has been registered of a person who had been confirmed as having the virus and that takes the total. Yes in Scotland under that measurement to 2486 in addition,
“As is usual on a Wednesday national records of Scotland has just published a detailed weekly report. This publication like the daily figures includes deaths of people who have been confirmed by a test as having Covid-19 but it also includes cases where the virus was entered on the death certificate as a suspected or contributory cause to someone's death.
“By Sunday the total number of registered deaths with either a confirmed or a presumed link to the virus was 4155.
“Of those 35 were registered in seven-days up to Sunday which is a decrease of 14 from the week before and this is the ninth week in a row now in which the number of deaths from Covid-19 has fallen.
“Deaths in care homes made up to just under half of all Covid-19 deaths last week and the number of Covid-19 deaths in care homes reduced again from 20 in the previous two 16 in the most recent week.
“Finally and very significantly, I can report that the total number of deaths recorded last week from all causes not just from Covid-19 but from all causes was 20 below the five-year average for the same time of year.
“This is the first time since March that the total number of deaths has been below the five-year average, in other words the first time since we don't have a number of excess deaths above that average.
“So this week's statistics again tell of the real and sustained progress that we are making in tackling Covid-19 – that said the numbers also speak of heartbreak for many of our fellow citizens.
“Today, I want to highlight a couple of things which demonstrate in different ways how the progress we've made in addressing Covid-19 is starting to allow a return, a very careful return, to some greater normality.
“From today, our Warmer Homes Scotland programme will resume – Warmer Homes Scotland tackle fuel poverty give help to those who most need it to make their housing more energy efficient and therefore cuts people's heating bills and it reduces total greenhouse gas emissions.
“The scheme’s restart also means that more than 300 staff are being brought out of furlough, so that they can get back to work improving people's homes.
“Overall therefore the resumption of Warmer Homes Scotland is good for employment, for the environment and for those households across the country whose homes will become easier and more cost-effective to heat.”
