THERE have been 30 new cases of coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total in eight weeks.
It means a total of 19,027 people have now tested positive for the virus.
The number of new cases is almost double the 17 announced the previous day and is 0.8% of the 15,307 new tests which reported results.
No deaths were registered of people who tested positive for the virus for the 15th day in a row, with the total remaining at 2491.
There are 255 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, down five in the past 24 hours. Of these, four patients are in intensive care, up by two.
The latest figures were revealed by Nicola Sturgeon at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing.
She said around half of all recent cases are in people in their 20s and 30s. This is likely a result of people heading to pubs and restaurants, the First Minister stated as she urged people not to be complacent.
.@NicolaSturgeon speaks about the 30 new positive coronavirus cases in Scotland - the biggest number for a single day in eight weeks.
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) July 31, 2020
The FM said we must remain cautious, but put it into context - the new cases represent less than 1% of people who were tested yesterday. pic.twitter.com/j9UTEYXAkv
Coronavirus LIVE: Scots told to avoid parts of northern England after Covid-19 spike
She told the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing: "Around half of the new cases we have seen in the last seven days or so have been in the 20 to 39 age group.
"That's something we've seen in other parts of the world recently, younger age groups, perhaps people more likely to go to pubs and restaurants and meet up with friends, are testing positive in higher numbers."
The SNP leader also gave further detail on new advice against non-essential travel between Scotland and parts of the north of England subject to tighter lockdown restrictions.
She said people living in Scotland who are visiting the parts of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire where people have been banned from meeting each other indoors do not have to cut short their visit but must adhere to the rules and "be extra vigilant when you come home, especially for symptoms".
The FM explained that the advice against travel to the affected areas was taken following a call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and is to "ensure we don't add to their challenge and also minimise risks of onward transmission here".
She said people returning to Scotland from areas in northern England under stricter lockdown measures should minimise contact with people outside their own household for 14 days from their return. They should also minimise contact with hospitality businesses such as pubs and restaurants.
Sturgeon emphasised that the decision was not taken "lightly", adding: "The connections between Scotland and the north of England are very strong, they are very important and they are highly valued by people on both sides of the Border."
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