Covid-19 death toll up to 33 as more than 65,000 Scots estimated to have virus

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed a further eight people have died in Scotland as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, taking the total to 33.

She also announced an increase of 165 in confirmed cases of Covid-19 to 1,059.

The estimated number of people in Scotland who have contracted coronavirus has now been revised up to more than 65,000, according to Scotland’s chief medical officer.

Speaking at a briefing with the First Minister and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in Edinburgh, Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “I was quoted yesterday in some of the press as estimating that there were between 40,000 and 50,000 people in Scotland with coronavirus.

“While it’s dangerous to go day by day, I want to really emphasise that I would now be estimating that there are more than 65,000 people in Scotland infected.”

She said the “vast majority” of people may not realise they have contracted the disease or are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms.

Dr Calderwood added: “There will come a time where I will be able to talk to you about the numbers being infected and that rate slowing but that time is not yet and that time will not be for some weeks to come.”

The First Minister also sent her “best wishes” to the Prime Minister after news of his testing positive for the disease was made public on Friday.

Confirming she had not been tested, Ms Sturgeon said: “I don’t underestimate how difficult it is to be positive for this virus so I’m certainly sending my best wishes to him for a very speedy recovery.”