MORE than 1600 people have now died in Scotland with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

A total of 1616 deaths have been recorded as of April 19.

The figures are announced weekly and account for all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

They differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government because they include suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.

There were 651 deaths relating to Covid-19 registered between April 13 and April 19, a rise of 41 on the 610 registered between April 6 and April 12, according to the NRS.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon defends ‘four nation’ approach to coronavirus

The total number of deaths registered in Scotland from April 13-19 was 1911 - nearly 80% higher than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years (1067), with coronavirus accounting for three-quarters of the additional 844 deaths.

A total of 1062 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 77 from 985 since yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

The figures are lower than the 1,616 deaths given earlier by the National Records of Scotland as they do not include suspected and probable coronavirus infections.

The First Minister said 9038 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 366 from 8672 the day before.

There are 155 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, a decrease of 11 since yesterday, she added.

There are 1776 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, down from 1866 yesterday.

Since March 5, 1813 patients who tested positive have been discharged from hospital.

Figures that will be published later today will show 384 care homes have a current outbreak of coronavirus, the First Minister said.

Sturgeon said: "These are care homes that have at least one resident who has exhibited symptoms of the virus in the last 14 days."

She added it was "not unusual" for care home residents to become ill, saying they were often frail and nearing the end of their lives.

Sturgeon conceded the figures for deaths are "very difficult to report on", adding: "They are higher than any of us want to think about."

But she said: "This information is really important, because it gives us as full a picture as possible of the toll the virus is having and how and where it is progress."

Almost three-quarters of those who have died from Covid-19 were aged over 75, Sturgeon said.

She stressed, however, that "much younger people do sometimes die as a result of this virus and that is an important reminder that all of us are potentially at risk".

More than half (56%) of deaths have been in hospital, Sturgeon added, with 33% of deaths in care homes and 10% dying at home or another setting.

At her daily briefing Sturgeon reminded people of the importance of continuing to observe social distancing measures.

She told reporters: "Soon, I hope, a fall in the numbers of people dying will show that progress too. By complying with the lockdown we are protecting ourselves and others and we are saving lives. But even a very small easing up in that right now could send all of that progress into reverse.

"So please, keep sticking with it. Stay at home except for essential purposes. When you do go out, stay two metres away from other people and don't meet up with people from other households. And remember to wash your hands - regularly and thoroughly."

The SNP leader thanked everyone following the rules for their efforts.

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