MORE than 2,000 deaths from coronavirus could have been prevented in Scotland if lockdown measures had been introduced earlier, a new study suggests.

The University of Edinburgh research, first shown on the BBC’s Disclosure programme on Monday night, found that the death rate in Scotland could have been reduced by 80 per cent had earlier action been taken.

Professor Rowland Kao, who led the study, said that lockdown measures could have “easily” taken effect earlier to reduce death rates.

The study also revealed that the virus was brought to Scotland the week before its first case was announced on March 1.

More than 70 Nike employees from around the world attended a conference at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton hotel on February 26 and 27, where one delegate is thought to have travelled and infected at least 25 people. 

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said that information about the outbreak should have been shared sooner.

“We want our governments to succeed in beating the virus and this evidence presented suggests lockdown should have taken place earlier,” she said.

Professor Dame Anne Glover, former chief scientific adviser to the Scottish government, said that “mistakes have been made and that has resulted in lives being lost.”

A Scottish government spokesman said: “At all times, the Scottish government’s actions have been guided by the best and most up-to-date expert scientific and medical advice, working closely with governments across the UK.”

He said that all cases originating from the Nike conference had been traced and treated.