New research suggests remote communities could see death rates between 50% and 80% higher than other parts of Scotland.

Researchers from the University of St Andrews have found significant geographical differences in projected deaths from covid-19 in the UK.

Professor Hill Kulu was involved in the study and says that although living in a remote location might offer protection from the virus in some ways, if it does spread to a remote community the effects are likely to be “devastating” compared to outbreaks in Scotland’s main cities.

That many remote and rural areas in Scotland have a higher proportion of older residents is identified as a significant contributing factor.

Geographically, people at high risk and vulnerable communities are concentrated in large areas of South-West England, coastal communities of East and South-East England, Central and North Wales, Northern England, Southern Scotland and the Highlands.

Professor Kulu added: “The Covid-19 pandemics may also have long-term socio-cultural effects. The Welsh, Gaelic- and Cornish-speaking communities with relatively old populations are likely to experience heavy population losses if the virus spreads widely across the UK.”

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