SCOTLAND’S Covid-19 restrictions are having a “positive impact” and they will not immediately change, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

However, the First Minister warned that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire local authority areas could be moved from their current level 2 to level 3 after cases “increased quite sharply”.

She told MSPs at Holyrood: “Three weeks ago – in the seven days up to Friday, November 13 – we had an average of 1116 new cases a day being recorded.

“By last Friday, that had fallen to 863 new cases a day – a reduction of more than one-fifth. Independent estimates also continue to place the R number slightly below 1 – that, again, is indicative of a position where infections are declining.

“The sacrifices everyone is making are making a difference. They are getting case numbers down, reducing the numbers getting ill and needing hospital care and so protecting the NHS, and saving lives.”

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However, after announcing 34 deaths of coronavirus patients and 754 new positive cases in the previous 24 hours, the First Minister warned the level of the virus is still “higher than we need it to be”.

She said: “In summary, therefore, although we are encouraged by the impact current restrictions have had, the need to strengthen and solidify that progress means that we need to continue to take care and err on the side of caution.

“So for all these reasons, the Cabinet, when it discussed this earlier today, has concluded that we will not propose any changes to the allocations of levels this week.”

Sturgeon confirmed that 11 council areas under the highest level of restrictions would have this lifted on December 11 at 6pm.

In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, she said cases have risen by 68% and 45% respectively in the past week – both of which remain below the national average but are higher than in some level 3 areas.

She said further analysis is being carried out to understand more deeply the extent to which this is being driven by specific outbreaks, such as in food processing facilities, which are being managed.

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“If this information justifies a move to level 3 for one or both of these council areas, we will set this out either at next week’s review or earlier if the situation merits it,” she said.

Although data in Dumfries and Galloway indicated it could move to level 1 soon, Sturgeon said it will remain in level 2 for now as it is bordered by areas “with quite significant levels of infection”.

She also warned cases could rise again over the winter months, “necessitating continued caution”.

Meanwhile, Scottish ministers hope to decide this week if the Christmas school holidays will be extended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Sturgeon said.

The Scottish Government is considering extending the holidays to run from December 18 to January 11.

Sturgeon promised ministers will “take these decisions carefully, given the factors at play”, adding: “We will confirm the outcome of our deliberations as soon as we have concluded them. The Deputy First Minister or I will set out to Parliament what those conclusions are.”