Scotland records third consecutive daily high of new coronavirus cases
Scotland has recorded the highest number of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began for the third day in a row.
A total of 2,622 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, which comes after 2,045 cases were reported on Wednesday and 1,895 on Tuesday.
Another 68 fatalities were also reported on Thursday, bringing the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 4,578.
1,372,469 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
The total confirmed as positive has risen by 2,622 to 127,453
Sadly 68 more patients who tested positive have died (4,578 in total)
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/bZPbrCoQuxHealth advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qupic.twitter.com/63JvL4YfcW
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 31, 2020
Seven Covid-19 deaths were recorded between Friday December 25 and Tuesday December 29 – though the Scottish Government noted that register offices have been closed over the public holidays – with a further 43 deaths on Wednesday.
The latest statistics also show 127,453 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 124,831 the previous day, with the daily test positivity rate at 10.1%. On Wednesday it was at 11.3%.
There are 1,174 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, with 70 in intensive care.
All of mainland Scotland and Skye remains under Level 4 restrictions, while the other islands are in Level 3.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have warned people against Hogmanay gatherings which could break current restrictions and potentially spread the virus further.
