Number of confirmed coronavirus cases rises to 29

THE NUMBER of confirmed coronavirus cases in Shetland has increased by two to 29, according to the Scottish Government.

Across Scotland 1,993 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, with 60 patients dying.

At the weekend NHS Shetland confirmed that two care home residents and an unconnected patient at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick had tested positive, bringing the total locally to 27.

Additional funding of £15 million, meanwhile, will be provided to GP practices across Scotland to help them cope with extra pressures arising from coronavirus.

Around one third of the Scottish Government funding is intended to allow practices to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday if it is safe to do so, helping to alleviate pressures on out-of-hours services.

The remainder will help to cover costs of equipment, additional non-clinical staff, GP partners and locum cover for sickness leave.

Personal protective equipment is being provided separately to all GP practices by the Scottish Government and will not need to be purchased with this additional funding.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I want to thank all GP practice staff for their incredible hard work throughout this pandemic. They are doing an invaluable job to keep crucial primary care services going in very challenging circumstances.

“Given the unprecedented situation we are in, I have taken the unusual step of asking GP practices to remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday – but only if it is safe to do so. This will help to alleviate some pressure from out-of-hours services.

“Working with the Scottish GP Committee of BMA Scotland we have agreed a package of additional funding for GP practices to help them meet some of the costs of responding to COVID-19.  Part of this will help to cover the cost of remaining open on Good Friday and Easter Monday and the remainder will help to meet other costs being faced by practices during this difficult time.”

For the latest advice on coronavirus, visit the NHS Inform website.