Coronavirus patients receiving hospital treatment in NHS Highland increases by more than a quarter; rise of 13 comes as four more cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in the region

THE number of Highland residents receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19 rose by more than a quarter overnight.

Despite recent gradual falls in the number of coronavirus patients in the region, the number who were in Highland hospitals last night actually rose by 13 ­to 61. Five of the 61 were in intensive care.

There were also four more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Highlands – taking the region's tally to 232 since the outbreak began.

Nationally, the number of confirmed cases across Scotland increased by 200 to 10,721, and there were a further 70 deaths among patients who had tested positive for the virus – taking the death toll to 1332.

There was a slight fall in the number of confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients receiving hospital treatment ­- which was down from 1762 to 1754. This fall was mirrored by the number in intensive care, which also fell by eight to 126.

Elsewhere in the north of Scotland, there were once again no new diagnoses in Orkney, Shetland or Eileanan Siar.

NHS Grampian saw 11 further cases, increasing its total to 782. There were also seven additional people receiving hospital treatment (97) than the same time yesterday. Of those 97, 10 were in intensive care.

NHS Tayside recorded 12 new diagnoses, bringing its total to 1273, although the number of people in hospital with the virus was down seven to 88.

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