Five people die from coronavirus in Scottish Borders

Five people have died after being treated for coronavirus in the Scottish Borders, NHS Borders has confirmed.

They are the first to die of the virus in the area.

No more information has been released about the patients and it is not known whether or not they had any underlying health problems.

Sarah Horan, Associate Nurse Director and Head of Midwifery said: "39 patients are currently being treated in hospital with either confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

"Sadly five patients across NHS borders have lost their life.

"The thoughts of everybody goes out to the family members of these individuals.

"At present we have three Covid-19 specialty wards open within the Borders General Hospital.

"We have mobilisation plans that we have submitted to the Scottish government, so we’re rapidly identifying other areas.

"This includes intensive care and high dependancy areas, so we can respond as quickly as we possibly can to the needs of the public in the Borders."

There are currently 63 cases of the virus in the Borders, that's risen by 13 since Sunday.

In Cumbria there are almost 300, with 74 confirmed in Dumfries and Galloway.

More on this as we get it.