Figures reveal 'true' death toll linked to coronavirus in Scotland

A total of 354 deaths had been registered in Scotland where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate by the end of last week.

That is according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland today.

It includes people who have died in hospital and in community settings, where a positive test has taken place and where Covid-19 was suspected as being a factor.

Daily figures released until now have only included hospital cases. First minister Nicola Sturgeon says these new statistics provide a more accurate picture of the impact of the virus on Scotland.

Between March 30 and April 5, 282 deaths were recorded. There were 62 in the previous week, and 10 the week before.

The first time a death was registered due to coronavirus was in the week of March 16.

The total number of deaths registered in Scotland between March 30 and April 5 was 1,741 - well above the average for the last five years of 1,098 - though this is partly down to a lag in some deaths being registered.

Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services, said: "We are living in unprecedented times and all of these deaths are tragic.

"These statistics, when placed alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), will be valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the Covid-19 virus across Scotland.

"We have produced these statistics based on deaths involving Covid-19, so this includes any deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, whether it is the underlying cause of death or a contributory cause and includes registered deaths resulting from suspected or probable Covid-19.

"Using this methodology means that our statistics will differ from the number of deaths released daily by HPS which report on deaths with an associated positive test for Covid-19, and it is expected that NRS statistics will show a higher number of deaths. This is because NRS figures report on deaths involving confirmed and also suspected or probable cases of Covid-19."

As of today (Wednesday April 8) a total of 366 deaths had been registered in hospitals only. The figure is different because it is more up to date than the NRS statistics above.