Two new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Grampian, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
There have now been 27 cases in Scotland, a rise of four since Monday. So far, 2,234 tests have been carried out in Scotland.
Two of the new cases are in Grampian and two are in Lothian.
It brings the total number of confirmed cases in Grampian since the outbreak began to six.
The first Scottish case of coronavirus was in Tayside but there have been no further recorded cases there so far.
Scottish Government health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “It is no exaggeration to say continuing with simple measures like hand washing and sneezing etiquette will help with the infection spread and help save lives.
“We all need to be clear that while for the vast majority this will be a virus with mild symptoms for many it will be a serious illness, that is potentially life threatening.”
Ms Freeman said 19 of Scotland’s 27 coronavirus patients travelled from affected areas, while the remaining eight contracted it after coming into contact with others carrying the virus.
She added more than £1m is being spent on a “rapid scaling up” of NHS equipment and facilities for video consultations in the wake of the outbreak.
The rise in Scottish cases came as the UK Government confirmed a sixth person has died as a result of the virus.
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “I am sorry to confirm a sixth patient in England who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died.
“I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.
“The patient, who was being treated by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, was in their 80s and had underlying health conditions.
“It appears the virus was acquired in the UK and full contact tracing has begun.”
The start of the UK peak of the coronavirus epidemic is expected within the next fortnight, England’s deputy chief medical officer said on Tuesday.
Dr Jenny Harries defended the Government’s decision to delay closing schools and the introduction of other stringent tactics, saying experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a “balanced response”.
But new measures – including those aimed at protecting the elderly and vulnerable – are expected shortly as cases rise more rapidly across the UK.
