The number of coronavirus patients who have died in the Borders has risen to eight.

NHS Borders confirmed the figure at 11.26am on April 1.

A health board spokesperson said 29 patients in the region are receiving treatment after testing positive for COVID-19.

A total of six are being cared for in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Borders General Hospital (BGH).

A further 24 suspected virus patients are awaiting results, the spokesperson said.

Yesterday (March 31), the number of deaths in the region stood at seven.