No increase overnight in cases of coronavirus in Borders, leaving total at 323

No further cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Borders today, May 27, leaving the total for the region at 323.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood today. (Photo by Fraser Bremner-Pool/Getty Images)Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood today. (Photo by Fraser Bremner-Pool/Getty Images)
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood today. (Photo by Fraser Bremner-Pool/Getty Images)

An increase of one yesterday, May 26, ended a five-day run without any new cases of the disease, also known as Covid-19, being reported here.

That was the longest that had gone by without any new cases since the region’s first diagnoses were confirmed on Wednesday, March 11.

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The 323 cases confirmed here are among 15,240 nationwide, up from 15,185 yesterday.

Across the UK, 265,227 people have tested positive for the disease, up 2,004 on the day before.

It’s now getting on for three months since Scotland’s first case, in Tayside, was announced on Sunday, March 1, after spreading across the world from Wuhan in China.

The number of cases of Covid-19 in the Borders remains higher than in one of its neighbouring health board areas, Dumfries and Galloway’s total being 260, but is still well below the two others, Lanarkshire and Lothian being up to 1,957 and 2,685 respectively.

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The death toll claimed in the region by coronavirus stands at 35, an increase of one on last week.

Figures issued by the National Records of Scotland today, taking into account all fatalities attributed to coronavirus and not just among those previously tested and found to be infected, put the death toll for the region at 58 as of Sunday, however – 24 higher than the Scottish Government figure of 34 at that time.

It’s now been over a month and a half since the first five fatalities among Covid-19 patients here were announced on Monday, March 30.

That figure, going by Scottish Government calculations, rose to seven the day after, March 31; eight on Wednesday, April 1; 11 on Thursday, April 2; 14 on Friday, April 3; 16 on Sunday, April 5; 17 on Monday, April 6; 19 on Tuesday, April 7; 20 on Friday, April 10; 22 on Saturday, April 11; 23 on Sunday, April 12; 26 on Monday, April 13; 27 on Thursday, April 23; 28 on Friday, April 24; 29 on Monday, April 27; 30 on Wednesday, April 29; 31 on Thursday, April 30; 32 on Tuesday, May 12; 34 on Tuesday, May 19; and 35 on Tuesday, May 26.

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They are among 2,304 coronavirus patients killed by the disease in Scotland so far, up from 2,291 overnight, and 37,048 UK-wide, a rise of 134 on the day before.

Altogether, 28 Scots are in intensive care receiving treatment for coronavirus, along with another 10 suspected to be infected but awaiting test results.

Hospitals in the region are currently treating nine patients confirmed to have Covid-19, along with a further 20 suspected sufferers.

Almost 107,000 tests for the illness have been carried out in Scotland so far, with 91,744 returning negative results.

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Giving an update to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh today on the outbreak, Scottish Government first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “As of 9 o’clock this morning, 15,240 positive cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed, an increase of 55 since yesterday.

“A total of 1,247 patients either suspected or confirmed as having Covid-19 are in hospital, an increase of 47 since yesterday. However, the number of confirmed cases has decreased by 23.

“As of last night, 38 people were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, an increase of three since yesterday. I point out that yesterday’s figure of 36 has been revised to 35.

“I am afraid that, in the past 24 hours, 13 deaths of patients confirmed as having the virus have been registered. That takes the total number of deaths in Scotland under that measurement to 2,304.

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“National Records of Scotland has just published its more detailed weekly report. It covers the period to three days ago. At that point, according to our daily figures, 2,273 deaths of people who had tested positive for the virus had been registered. However, today’s report shows that, by Sunday, the total number of registered deaths with either a confirmed or presumed link to Covid-19 was 3,779. Of those deaths, 230 were registered in the seven days up to Sunday. That is a decrease of 105 from the week before. This is the fourth week in a row in which deaths have fallen.

“Deaths in care homes made up 54% of all deaths linked to the virus last week. That is down from 56% in the previous week. The number of Covid-19 deaths in care homes also reduced again, from 186 last week to 124 in the most recent week. That figure, of course, remains too high.

“The total number of excess deaths — the number of deaths above the five-year average for the same time of year — also decreased, from 357 to 178.

“I have said before, and it remains true, that statistical trends will never console those who have lost loved ones to the virus. My thoughts and sympathies are with them all. However, the trends, which have now been sustained for more than four weeks, give grounds for encouragement.

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“The weekly number of Covid-19 deaths has fallen by more than 60% from its peak and excess deaths have reduced by more than three-quarters. Deaths in care homes are also falling.

“Tomorrow, we will take a formal decision on whether to begin to emerge cautiously from lockdown.

“Any early steps are likely to focus on outdoor activities.

“We will provide full information about what individuals and businesses should and should not do.

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“I stress that, even if some restrictions are relaxed later this week, it will continue to be essential to follow guidance.

“People should stay 2m apart from those from other households and should self-isolate if they have symptoms.

“The message in Scotland remains the same. Please stay at home except for essential purposes. When you leave the house, stay more than 2m from other people and do not meet up with those from other households. Please wear a face covering if you are in a shop or on public transport and remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly. If you or someone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms, you must stay at home and isolate completely.

“What we have all done so far has made a difference, and today’s figures show that.

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“Everyone has played a part in slowing the spread of the virus, protecting the National Health Service and saving lives. As we start to emerge from lockdown, that co-operation will become more important than ever.”