A patient who was suffering from coronavirus in Scotland has died.
The country’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood confirmed the first Scottish death on Friday afternoon.
The patient had been receiving treatment for the virus in the Lothian area and died in hospital.
They were older and had underlying health conditions.
The news comes as positive COVID-19 cases jumped from 60 to 85 in one day in Scotland.
Dr Calderwood said: “I am saddened to report that a patient in Scotland who has tested positive for Coronavirus has died in hospital. I offer my deepest sympathy to their friends and family at this difficult time.
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“The patient, who was being treated by Lothian Health Board was an older person who had underlying health conditions. No further information will be available to protect patient confidentiality.”
NHS Lothian medical director Dr Tracy Gillies said: “To protect confidentiality, we are unable to discuss individual patients or staff, however we would like to offer reassurance that NHS Lothian has stringent measures in place to minimise risks around COVID-19.
“If people are experiencing symptoms indicative of coronavirus – a fever or persistent cough – they should self-isolate for seven days.
“If their condition deteriorates or has not improved in seven days they should call their GP, or 111 if out of hours, where they will receive help.
“People must not approach any healthcare services in person.”
Across the UK, 798 people have now tested positive for coronavirus.
Scottish Labour shadow cabinet secretary for health and sport Monica Lennon said: “This is very sad news and our thoughts are with the family of the patient at this difficult time.This brings home how serious this pandemic is.
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“Scottish Labour will continue to work with the Scottish Government and others to ensure there is maximum resilience and preparedness in our NHS and public services to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Every single one of us must follow the latest public health information and look out for each other in the weeks and months ahead.”
Health secretary Jeane Freeman has asked health boards to detail their plans to increase capacity in hospitals ahead of the expected increase in the number of cases of COVID 19.
Ms Freeman said: “We need to free up capacity in our hospital settings and increase where we can the capacity there and in the community. So over the next two to three weeks, we will scale down non urgent care so non urgent procedures are postponed.
“But patients have our assurance that all appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible as we get through the challenge to our NHS that COVID-19 presents.
“As we work to double our intensive care capacity, some lead time is needed to repurpose facilities and ensure staff receive the training they need.
"In all of this work, our urgent and life critical services such as cancer will be maintained.”
The health secretary reassured she would make a further statement on the virus in Parliament on Tuesday.
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