Coronavirus in Scotland: Weekly death toll falls to lowest number since lockdown began

households — First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland’s Covid-19 death toll has fallen for the eighth consecutive week and shows the lowest number since lockdown began, according to the official weekly coronavirus figures.

There were 49 deaths in Scotland last week where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, which is the smallest weekly total since social distancing restrictions were imposed on 23rd March.

It is a decrease of 20 from the previous week and takes the total number of deaths which have been linked to the virus to 4,119.

The number of deaths in care homes also continued to fall, with 20 deaths in the last week.

In total, 47% of all Covid-19 deaths to date have been in care homes, 46% have been in hospitals and 7% at home.

More than three quarters (77%) of all deaths involving Covid-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.

The National Records of Scotland figures, published every Wednesday, include all deaths where Covid-19 is a factor, even when there has not been a positive test.

1/3 #NRSStats show as of 21 Jun a total of 4,119 deaths have been registered in #Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, of which 49 happened in the week 15-21 Jun -a decrease of 20 from 8-14 Jun & 8th consecutive weekly reduction https://t.co/Ku0qgjLAn2 pic.twitter.com/xzBT75Oym3

— NatRecordsScot (@NatRecordsScot) June 24, 2020

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “These statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones and every death from this virus is a tragedy.

“Producing these statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), provides vital information to help understand the progression and impact of the virus in Scotland.

“Since the peak in mid-April, the number of registered Covid-19 related deaths has fallen for eight successive weeks. In the week ending 21st June, 49 Covid-19 related deaths were registered, representing the second smallest weekly total since the start of the pandemic in Scotland.

“At the peak of the pandemic, 36% of all registered deaths referenced Covid-19. The latest weekly figure reports that this is now the case in 5 % of registered deaths.”

What the NRS figures show

As of 21st June, there have been a total of 4,119 deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate
Of the total number of deaths registered in week 25 (15th to 21st June), there were 49 where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, a decrease of 20 from the previous week
This is the eighth weekly reduction in a row, and the lowest weekly total since mid-March
Deaths involving Covid-19 accounted for 5% of all deaths registered in week 25. This proportion has fallen steadily from its peak in week 17 when Covid-19 deaths accounted for 36% of all deaths
47% of Covid-19 deaths registered to date related to deaths in care homes and 46% of deaths were in hospitals
The proportion of Covid-19 deaths which took place in care homes has risen over time but has dropped back in recent weeks and now represents 41% of all deaths from the virus in week 25
The number of deaths in care homes fell for an eighth week, by 15 to 20
More than three quarters (77%) of all deaths involving COVID-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.

Why this data differs from daily updates

The weekly figures differ to the daily numbers announced by Nicola Sturgeon at her press briefings as they also include deaths where there has not been a positive test for Covid-19, but it is a suspected or presumed factor.

The First Minister’s daily figures only record deaths of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Scottish Government Covid-19 statistics, June 24:

2,480 deaths (+4)
18,191 confirmed cases (+9)
880 in hospital (+15)
23 in ICU (+2)

— The Sunday Post (@Sunday_Post) June 24, 2020