Coronavirus deaths in Scotland rise by 47

A total of 1,231 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, a rise of 47 from Friday, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The number of people who have tested positive for the virus north of the border is 10,051, up 354 on Friday.

The daily figures published on the Scottish Government’s website confirmed 1,748 patients are in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a rise of 38 from the previous day.

Of these patients 140 are in intensive care, down one.

Across Scotland, 47,749 people have been tested for coronavirus, a rise of 1,660 in 24 hours.

The figures were released following new Scottish Government guidance on the expansion of testing for key workers who show symptoms of the virus.

The guidance states: “We need to ensure those critical to the sustained functioning of the economy and public services have access to testing that enables them to continue their vital work.

“All symptomatic people categorised as key workers and members of their household can be tested.”

Key workers have been split into four priority categories for testing, with health and social care workers remaining in the top priority group.

Among the occupations eligible for testing through the expanded programme are supermarket workers, food processors, postal staff and those providing public transport.