This compares with 20,946 in the previous winter (2016/17). It was the largest number since the 23,379 deaths were registered in winter 1999/2000, according to figures from National Records of Scotland (NRS). Virulent strains of winter flu have been blamed for a rise in deaths. Last winter the number of flu-linked deaths trebled to 331, although today's figures say the virus was only "directly" responsible for a small proportion of fatalities. But she added: "The average value for the latest five years, which smoothes out much of the year-to-year fluctuation, is now above the level that had applied since the early 2000s. "It is too soon to say whether there has been a change in the long-term trend: it could just be a short-term rise, like that seen roughly 20 years ago, after which the average fell for several years.” The Scottish Government today stepped up calls for older Scots to get a free flu vaccination ahead of the coming winter. Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “Every year in Scotland, around two thirds of people who get severe flu and need intensive care treatment have a health condition such as chronic lung or heart disease. Last winter, Scotland had its highest flu rates for seven years, a pattern seen across Europe and the United States, and it is likely that flu was a significant factor in many deaths, particularly among older people and those with long-term conditions. “Flu vaccines are available free to all eligible adults, including everybody aged 65 and older, and protects against a number of different flu strains. Vaccination remains our best defence against flu, and I urge people to take up the offer of a free vaccine.”