UK death toll tops 1000

Author: Rob WallerPublished 28th Mar 2020

Another 7 Scots have died of coronavirus as the UK death toll passes 1,000.

The jump in Covid-19-related deaths in the UK from 759 to 1,019 is an increase of 260 - by far the biggest day-on-day rise in the number of deaths since the outbreak began.

In total, 1,245 people in Scotland have tested positive for coronavirus, up 186 from 1,059 on Friday.

Latest figures show that 13,133 tests have been carried out north of the border, with 11,888 recorded as negative.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the highest number of positive cases with 376, followed by Lanarkshire with 165.

The latest figures come after Scottish Secretary Alister Jack revealed he had developed mild symptoms of coronavirus and was self-isolating.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is already having to lead the response to the pandemic from isolation in Downing Street after he was diagnosed with the disease.

He has been accused of failing to follow his own social distancing rules after Health Secretary Matt Hancock tested positive and England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty began self-isolating with symptoms.

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK now stands at 17,089, as of 9am on Saturday.

One week ago, on March 21, the total stood at 5,018.

Coronavirus tests for NHS frontline staff are being trialled this weekend to help those who are self-isolating and need to be given the all-clear from the disease to return to work.