A FURTHER 30 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Scotland over the last 24 hours, the First Minister confirmed this afternoon.

Nicola Sturgeon said the total number of deaths under that measurement – where a patient dies within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 – now stands at 4023.

This figure is different from that published by the National Records of Scotland, which reports all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate. They have recorded more than 6000 deaths linked to the virus.

The First Minister also confirmed that 858 more people have tested positive for Covid-19.

READ MORE: Coronavirus LIVE: Scots urged to stay at home this Christmas as warnings issued

There are 1012 people in hospital with the virus, a decrease of 19 on the previous day, and 50 people in intensive care, up by one.

Sturgeon spoke as new coronavirus guidance was published for over the Christmas period.

The four nations decided not to change the legislation around Christmas bubble.

New guidance shows people should avoid all travel between high prevalence and low prevalence areas over Christmas.

That “means avoiding travel to or from Scotland and Tier 3 areas in England”.

While people are permitted to form a Christmas “bubble” with a legal maximum of three households, the Government has stressed it recommends a limit of two households with a maximum of eight people.

It also encourages people to minimise the amount of time spent in the bubble, particularly indoors, and overnight travel is not advised unless unavoidable.

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing, the First Minister stressed the safest way to spend Christmas is in your own household.