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Coronavirus: Scotland reports no COVID-19 deaths for third day running

The latest update is good news for Scotland as the country prepares to further ease lockdown measures on Monday.

Sunday 28 June 2020 15:55, UK

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 18: People wear face mask as they use buses in Princess Street on June 18, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced phase 2 of lifting coronavirus restrictions, as of Monday it will be mandatory to wear face masks on all public transport, including taxis and private hire cars. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Image: People are asked to wear face masks on public transport in Scotland
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Scotland has reported no new deaths of people who had tested positive for coronavirus for the third day running.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has said the country is close to achieving the "total elimination" of COVID-19, expressed "enormous relief" at the update.

It means the number of coronavirus deaths in Scotland remains at 2,482, while the number of confirmed cases has increased by eight to 18,236.

Of those who have tested positive, 4,050 have been discharged from hospital since 5 March.

There are currently 460 people in Scottish hospitals confirmed to have the disease, five of whom are in intensive care, while eight people are in intensive care with suspected coronavirus.

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon wears a Tartan face mask as she visits New Look at Ford Kinaird Retail Park in Edinburgh on June 26, 2020, as Scotland prepares for a further loosening of the COVID-19 lockdown, easing travel restrictions and allowing the re-opening of retailers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JEFF J MITCHELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Nicola Sturgeon visited stores on Friday as Scotland prepares to reopen

Regarding Sunday's update, Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "3 days in a row with no registered COVID deaths in Scotland.

"The sense of relief that I - & I'm sure all of us - feel as these numbers fall is enormous.

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"But it's coupled with an anxiety that we do all we can to keep COVID under control.

"So please follow the rules and #StaySafe."

Two people wear face masks inside Waverley Station, Edinburgh
Image: Two people wear face masks inside Waverley Station, Edinburgh

Like the UK-wide figures provided by the Department of Health, Scotland's weekend statistics can be artificially low because of a delay in reporting.

For the 24 hours preceding 9am on Sunday, the Department of Health reported 36 deaths and 901 cases - taking the respective totals to 43,550 and 311,151.

Another 127,709 tests were carried out across the UK, with almost 9.2 million having now been done.

Despite lower increases having become expected at weekends, the latest numbers still make for positive reading for Scotland as it prepares to further ease its lockdown.

Ms Sturgeon has been more cautious in her approach to loosening restrictions than Prime Minister Boris Johnson, however non-essential retail will be allowed to reopen in Scotland on Monday.

Such stores started to reopen in England back on 15 June.

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Image: Scotland has been slower to ease lockdown than England

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Ms Sturgeon wore a face mask when she visited some retailers on Friday to see how they were preparing.

She has "strongly advised" shoppers to wear face coverings to protect others, but has stopped short of making the practice mandatory.

"These rules are there for the protection of all of us," she said on Friday.

"Abusing retail staff because they're telling you something that you don't want to do is not acceptable.

"These people are at work and have to be kept safe too so please treat them with respect and courtesy."

Guidance from the Scottish government urges Scots to shop outside peak times and locally, within five miles of home, and to shop alone or in as small a group as possible.

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