Almost three-quarters of Covid-19 deaths have affected those over 75, says Sturgeon
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set out some of the measures needed to protect residents and staff of care homes as the latest confirmed figures for Covid-19 deaths show that more than 73 per cent of deaths have affected those above the age of 75.
Among the efforts being made to secure care homes from the virus is a rapid action group to respond to any issues as well as testing of care home staff and residents who are in any way symptomatic.
The figures from the National Records of Scotland show the most detailed breakdown yet offered for deaths according age, sex, location and health board where Covid-19 was either suspected or confirmed.
For the first time deaths by local authority were revealed, with the number of people dying because of coronavirus standing at 22 in the Highland Council area. Of those, one was in a care home, three were at home and 18 were in hospital.
The new figures also calculate the number of those who have died because of the infection over the past three weeks. In the council area that went from seven in the week beginning March 30, to six the following week, then nine the week after.
By taking in the much larger NHS Highland health board area the death toll is 50 so far, with seven dying in care homes, eight at home and 35 in hospital – an increase on last week’s figures of 11.
Nationally, Scotland has suffered a total of 1616 deaths with the majority of those being above the age of 75, while less than one per cent were under the age of 45.
The First Minister said: “Today's report shows that by the total number of registered deaths linked to the virus confirmed and presumed was 1616. This information is important because it gives us as full a picture as possible of the toll that the virus is having and how and where it is progressing.
“I want to highlight that it provides a breakdown of deaths by age, sex and location and health board area. It shows that almost three-quarters of those who have died were aged over 75. However, it also shows that much younger people do sometimes die as a result of this virus.
“That is an important reminder that all of us are potentially at risk and to follow the guidance.
"So far 56 per cent of those who have died, died in hospital; 33 per cent – 537 people in total – have died in care homes; and 10 per cent have died at home or in some other setting.
“Now we know that older people in care homes are particularly vulnerable to this virus, but we must match that increased vulnerability with enhanced protection.
“Clear guidance on isolation in care homes has been in place now for some time and it is of course the duty of providers of care homes to make sure that guidance is followed.”
Ms Sturgeon set out the measures now being taken to protect care homes, stressing that they are “in addition to and not a substitute for the clear social distancing measures” already in place:
- NHS directors of public health are taking enhanced clinical leadership for care homes.
- A national rapid action group has been established which will receive daily updates and ensure quick local action is taken to deal with any emerging issues.
- Testing for staff and residents is being expanded so all symptomatic residents of care homes will be tested for Covid-19
- Patients discharged from hospital should only be admitted or readmitted to care homes once they had two negative tests
- New admission to care homes should be tested and isolated for 14 days
