A SPECIAL Crown Office unit is investigating more than 800 deaths in hospitals linked to covid.
The unit has been set up to examine the circumstances of deaths linked to the virus, including those in care homes.
New figures show a total of 827 deaths across Scotland are being investigated by the team.
The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has the highest number of reported Covid-linked deaths with 113, as of October 7.
While the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary have the next highest figures, with 71 deaths reported to the Covid unit.
READ MORE: Scotland Covid death toll hits highest daily total since February
A spokesperson for the Crown Office told the BBC: "CDIT [Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team] receives and deals with those reports and carries out any investigation which may be justified in the particular circumstances of any particular death or deaths.
"CDIT will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that all necessary and appropriate enquiries are made as quickly as possible."
Latest figures also show almost 3,500 deaths in care homes linked to covid have been reported to the Crown Office.
The results of the investigation are yet to be decided with the team still at the early information gathering stage.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon met Covid-positive mayor at COP26
Any decision on prosecution is likely to be linked to a public inquiry, due to be established by the end of 2021, into covid or care home deaths.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We mourn every death from Covid-19 and express our sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones, and for the distress and grief experienced by individuals and their families.
"Saving people's lives has been and continues to be the priority of the Scottish Government throughout the pandemic and it would clearly be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing Crown Office investigation."
Dr Scott Davidson, deputy medical director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "I want to offer my most sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one during the pandemic.
"People continue to die from this dreadful virus and every death it brings is a tragedy.
“We will, of course, continue to support investigations into these deaths.
"As Scotland's largest health board area, just under a third of all Covid infections have been recorded within Greater Glasgow and Clyde and, as a result, our largest hospitals have, unfortunately, also seen the highest number of people to sadly die after being infected with Covid-19."
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