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REGIONAL BREAKDOWN: 23 new cases of Covid-19 in north and north-east as Scotland’s death toll surpasses 2,000

Medical staff taking samples at a Covid-19 testing centre.
Medical staff taking samples at a Covid-19 testing centre.

A further 23 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the north and north-east in the past 24 hours.

The latest figures released by the Scottish Government show that 19 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Grampian and four more in the Highlands since yesterday.

The rise in confirmed cases brings the total in Grampian to 1,142 up from 1,123 and in the Highlands to 328.

There are no new confirmed cases in the islands either cases as Shetland’s total remains at 54. There are seven cases in Orkney and six in the Western Isles.

There are currently 103 people receiving treatment in hospitals across the region, 98 in the north-east and five in the Highlands.

Of those, 11 are in intensive care.

Death toll and examination

Since the pandemic began a total of 2,007 patients have died of Covid-19 in Scottish hospitals.

According to figures released by the Health Protection Scotland, the nation’s death toll has increased by 34 from 1,973 on Wednesday.

Examination for the virus continues with 80,275 people being tested for through NHS labs to date. Of these, 66,158 were confirmed negative and 14,117 were positive.

Since March 5, 3,253 people who have tested positive for coronavirus have been able to leave hospital.

Restrictions difficult but necessary

Speaking at her daily briefing in Edinburgh, Nicola Sturgeon said while the restrictions placed on people were “more difficult with every day that passes” they were still necessary.

The First Minister said the lockdown in Scotland was making a difference, adding: “By staying at home we are continuing to slow down the spread of the virus and reduce the number of new cases of it we are seeing every day.”

Ms Sturgeon also mentioned that despite the “really horrible, grim figures” in the daily updates “we are undoubtedly saving lives”.

She praised Scots for “continuing to do the right thing”, adding: “This truly is a national collective endeavour that all of us are contributing to.”

Follow below for the key coronavirus updates: