One more Covid-19 related death registered in isles

ONE further Covid-19 related death was registered for the Shetland health board area last week, according to new figures released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The NRS figures account for deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate either confirmed or suspected.

As of 3 May, there have been a total of seven deaths registered in Shetland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Five have occurred in care homes and two were in hospital.

Chief executive of NHS Shetland Michael Dickson said the health board did not comment on individual deaths, and added that “the reporting of patient deaths is by the patient’s home health board rather the location of their death”.

“Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones due to this virus,” he said.

Nationally across Scotland that total figure sits at 2,795. However, the increase of 523 in the last week was a decrease of 135 from the previous week.

In the last week 59 per cent of deaths in Scotland were in care homes, with 37 per cent in hospitals and four per cent at home or non-institutional settings.

The figures are different to those published daily on the Scottish Government website because the latter is based on deaths of those who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Director of statistical services at the NRS Pete Whitehouse said: “Every death from this virus is a tragedy.

“These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland.”