A Scottish health board has asked members of the public not to attending A&E services unless their condition is life-threatening.
NHS Lothian is currently under severe pressure due to understaffing and a lack of beds in the area. This combined with the high volumes of patients presenting with serious issues has meant the health board is struggling to handle the influx.Hospitals that are close to full capacity include the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John's Hospital in Livingston, Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
Meanwhile, in the last 24-hour period 27 Scots have passed away from coronavirus.In that same time period 2566 people contracted the virus.It brings the death toll since last March