A WAREHOUSE in Hillington is being converted into a temporary mortuary, it has been revealed tonight.

The faciliity at the industrial estate will have room for up to 1700 bodies, and is hoped to be ready Monday, April 20.

It will be an NHS leased building, and comes as the number of deaths to the virus continues to rise in Scotland.

Earlier today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a further 40 people who had contracted coronavirus had died - bringing Scotland's death toll to 615.

READ MORE: Coronavirus LIVE: Number of Scottish deaths rises to over 600 with 6358 confirmed cases

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said “Like all local authorities across the UK, Glasgow, alongside key partners including the NHS GG&C, is looking at various options for dealing with increased deaths as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We are monitoring on a daily basis the impact of COVID-19 against our planning models for the pandemic including potential requirements for a temporary body storage facility.

“As part of this planning, a site has been identified and we are working towards making this facility ready for use should it be needed.”

It is hoped the facility will take pressures of funeral directors during the pandemic.

During the 2pm update, it was confirmed that the number of people with coronavirus in Greater Glasgow has soared to 1575.

That is an increase of 89 from yesterday's figure of 1486.

There are now 594 people in hospital with suspected or confirmed cases in hospital, 73 of which are in intensive care.

Meanwhile there are now 822 people confirmed to have coronavirus in Lanarkshire, with 27 of those in intensive care.

NHS GGC has been approached for comment.

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