Sturgeon stresses 'nobody is immune' as death toll rises

The First Minister has stressed that nobody is immune from coronavirus, as the number of people who have died after testing positive rose to 366.

At her daily briefing on Covid-19 on Wednesday, Nicola Sturgeon said a further 70 people had died within the last 24 hours.

However, new statistics from the National Records of Scotland (NRS), whichinclude cases where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate, show 354 deaths in the period from March 16 to April 5.

The difference in the two figures is partly down to a time lag, the FirstMinister explained, as well as the differences in recording methods.

Data from the NRS showed a large spike in Covid-19 related deaths in the week beginning March 30, a trend which health officials will be examining closely.

People in the 75 to 84 age range were the most affected, but four people in the 15 to 44 age range also died.

The NRS's statistics have more detail on the age and gender of those involved.

The First Minister said: "These new weekly figures include more detailedinformation than previously.

"These breakdowns show that those who are older are more likely to die ofCovid-19 but they show that nobody is immune, so everybody should follow the instructions."

She continued: "This information is also essential to help us understand whois most severely impacted by the virus and where there are any hotspots. It also helps us plan for beds in hospitals and when the peak is likely to pass.

"I understand that the figures can make us feel powerless and something wecan't see or feel is taking lives but by following the rules and by self-isolating, all of us can help to reduce the number of deaths."

Ms Sturgeon also said ministers, unions and Cosla would take part in a call to discuss the issue of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care workers.

She said: "If issues and concerns are raised with us, we will seek to addressthese issues fully and quickly."

The First Minister told Scotland's care workers: "We are incredibly gratefulfor everything you are doing for us right now."

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