Coronavirus cases in Borders edge up to 208 as UK-wide total nears 94,000

Coronavirus is continuing to spread through the Borders, with the number of cases here now nearing 210.
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday at a field hospital being created in Glasgow. (Photo by Andy Buchanan/WPA pool/Getty Images)Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday at a field hospital being created in Glasgow. (Photo by Andy Buchanan/WPA pool/Getty Images)
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday at a field hospital being created in Glasgow. (Photo by Andy Buchanan/WPA pool/Getty Images)

A daily update issued by the Scottish Government reveals an increase of four cases in the region today, April 14, up from 204 to 208.

More than a third of those diagnosed with the disease in the region are NHS Borders staff, with 78 having tested positive and a further 17 of their colleagues awaiting test results.

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There has been no increase in the death toll claimed here by Covid-19, as the disease is also known, however, and it remains at 26.

The first five fatalities in the Borders attributable to the virus were announced on Monday, March 30, and that figure rose to seven the day after, eight the next day, 11 a week ago last Thursday, 14 a week ago on Friday, 16 last Sunday, 17 on Monday, 19 on Tuesday, 20 on Friday, 22 on Saturday, 23 on Sunday and 26 yesterday.

They are among a death toll of 615 nationwide, up 40 from 575 yesterday, and 12,107 across the UK, up 778 on the day before.

Altogether, 6,358 cases of the illness have been confirmed nationwide, up 291 from 6,067 yesterday.

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Across the UK, 93,873 people, including British prime minister Boris Johnson, have tested positive for the illness, up 5,252 from the day before.

Some 32,855 tests for coronavirus have been carried out in Scotland so far, with 26,497 returning negative results.

It’s over four weeks now since the first two cases of the illness were confirmed in the Borders on Wednesday, March 11, and almost a month and a half since Scotland’s first case, in Tayside, was announced on Sunday, March 1, after spreading across the world from Wuhan in China.

That figure went up to three on Friday, March 13; five on Saturday, March 14; seven on Sunday, March 15; eight the following Thursday, March 19; nine on Friday, March 20; 10 on Saturday, March 21; 11 on Sunday, March 22; 12 on Monday, March 23; 15 on Wednesday, March 25; 23 on Thursday, March 26; 28 on Friday, March 27; 35 on Saturday, March 28; 50 on Sunday, March 29; 63 on Monday, March 30; 77 on Tuesday, March 31; 87 on Wednesday, April 1; 93 on Thursday, April 2; 100 on Friday, April 3; 110 on Saturday, April 4; 130 on Sunday, April 5; 139 last Monday, April 6; 149 last Tuesday; 160 on Wednesday; 167 on Thursday; 177 on Friday; 189 on Saturday; 199 on Sunday; 204 yesterday; and 208 today.

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The number of cases of Covid-19 in the Borders is higher than in one of its neighbouring health board areas, Dumfries and Galloway’s total being 199, but is still well below the two others, Lanarkshire and Lothian being up to 822 and 989 respectively.

Altogether, 196 Scots, six of them in the Borders, are in intensive care receiving treatment for coronavirus, as of last night, with 192 having tested positive and the others awaiting results.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon told a briefing in Edinburgh today of her sorrow at hearing of 40 further coronavirus sufferers dying, saying: “It is with sadness that I have to report today a further 40 deaths that have been registered of patients who had tested positive for the virus.

“That takes the total number of registered deaths in Scotland now to 615.

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“The fact is that every death, no matter where someone dies, in a care home, in a hospital or in their own home, no matter the age, the underlying health conditions or the background of the person, every single death is a tragedy that we mourn and deeply regret, and yet again today I want to extend my deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones to this virus.”

Ms Sturgeon added: “One of the cruel things about Covid-19 is that we need each other more than ever right now, yet we have been told – for good reason – to stay apart. And that’s one reason why I’m so keen to stress the importance of kindness, solidarity and love throughout this crisis.

“And there is a role for all of us in trying to support each other.

“But I also know that many people will need your specialised help and advice to support their mental health and wellbeing.

“Help is there if you need it. The NHS Inform website can help you see what service will be best for you, so please reach out for help, because it is there.”