Two new positive coronavirus cases in the NHS Lothian area as Scottish death toll doubles to six

The latest Scottish Government figures have revealed two new cases of coronavirus in the NHS Lothian area, bringing the total in Scotland to 266 cases.

It means a rise from 33 to 35 cases in the Lothian area as Covid-19 continues to spread.

The total number of people tested in Scotland and the number of negative tests will be published later on Thursday.

Three more deaths have also been confirmed by the Scottish Government today, bringing the total deaths of people who have tested positive for coronavirus to six.

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 – 12

Borders – 8

Dumfries and Galloway – 6

Fife – 9

Forth Valley – 17

Grampian – 18

Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 71

Highland – 6

Lanarkshire – 33

Lothian – 35

Shetland – 24

Tayside – 27