18 new confirmed coronavirus cases in Lothians as Scottish total rises to 719

The latest Scottish Government figures have revealed 18 new cases of coronavirus in the NHS Lothian area, bringing the total in Scotland to 719 cases.

It means a rise from 70 to 88 cases in the Lothian area as Covid-19 continues to spread.

A total of 10, 676 Scottish tests have concluded. Of these: 9,957 tests were confirmed negative and 719 tests were positive.

22 patients in the country have died after contracting the virus.

Coronavirus symptoms

Coronavirus is a respiratory disease which seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After a week it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment.

In more severe cases, coronavirus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, multiple organ failure and even death.

Those with weakened immune systems - older people and those with underlying health conditions like asthma or heart disease - are more likely to become severely ill.

The World Health Organisation says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.

As it's a new illness, it is unclear how exactly coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses are spread by droplets in coughs and sneezes.

Protecting yourself against coronavirus

The Scottish Government website offers the following advice from NHS Inform to help reduce the risk of getting and spreading respiratory infections by:

- Avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Maintaining good hand hygiene - washing hands with soap and water or alcohol sanitiser: After coughing or sneezing; going to toilet; before eating and drinking.

- Avoiding direct contact with people that have respiratory illness and avoid using their personal items such as mobile phones.

- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and disposing of them in the nearest waste bin after use.

Anyone who thinks they may be affected by coronavirus should call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP or to A&E.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, there have been more than 213,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide with over 8,800 deaths.

The outbreak originated in China's Hubei province in December before spreading globally.

Latest Scottish figures

Ayrshire and Arran – 57

Borders – 15

Dumfries and Galloway – 31

Fife – 29

Forth Valley – 59

Grampian – 29

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 221

Highland – 22

Lanarkshire – 87

Lothian – 88

Shetland – 24

Tayside – 57