Coronavirus: Rise in Fife’s positive test figures

The latest update showed a sharp rise in the number of Fifers infected with coronavirus.

The Scottish Government confirmed a total of 119 positive cases in the Kingdom.

That represented an increase of 23 from Wednesday’s total of 96.

A total of 18,128 tests have now taken place across Scotland – 15,526 have been negative, and 2602 positive.

A total of 126 people have now also north of the border.

That was up 50 from the previous day, but Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister,said that 40 of those took place over a number of days, but had been delayed in reporting, due to family liaison issues.

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Dr Christopher McKenna, NHS Fife medical director, said: “We are really starting to see the effects of the COVID-19 virus in Fife, both in our hospitals and in our wider community.

“It’s crucial that the people do their bit in helping us to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society.

“The virus can be carried, and indeed spread, by those showing no symptoms at all.

“That’s why we need everyone to follow the Scottish Government’s advice and stay at home.

“This helps protect the health of all of us, and particularly the more vulnerable members of our community such as our parents and grandparents.

“It is only through effective social distancing across whole communities that we can slow the spread of the virus down sufficiently that health and social care services in Fife can manage the numbers of acutely unwell patients we are anticipating over the coming weeks and months.”