NICOLA Sturgeon has pleaded with Scots to stay at home on Hogmanay as Covid-19 cases hit a record high.
Some 1895 cases were reported in the latest daily update – the highest number ever logged on a single day in Scotland.
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "especially vital" people did not mix indoors with other households.
The 1895 daily cases was double the number logged 24 hours previously, with 14.4% of tests returning a positive result.
READ MORE: Seven Scots die over Christmas period after contracting coronavirus
Sturgeon said there had been "quite a big jump in cases", although there could be a "Christmas lag" in reporting some results.
She warned the new strain of Covid-19 was "contributing to faster spread" of the virus, with a rising trend across the country and particular concerns over Shetland and Dumfries and Galloway.
The FM commented: "The main message to people is to make sure you are not visiting other people's houses just now. Unfortunately that includes Hogmanay and New Year.
"This is a time of year I know people enjoy getting together, but that's not safe to do this year.
"As we head into the Hogmanay and new year period I really do appeal to people to say out of the homes of others, celebrate new year in your own home only with your own household."
NEW: FM @NicolaSturgeon asks people to stay at home and avoid mixing on Hogmanay as 1895 new cases of COVID are reported. 🦠 pic.twitter.com/ep2OCY7v8M
— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) December 29, 2020
All of mainland Scotland has been in level four – the highest tier of restrictions – since Boxing Day, and will remain there for at least three weeks.
Officials are also considering on a daily basis whether to escalate restrictions on Scotland's islands, which are currently in level three.
Sturgeon said the situation in Shetland in particular was being "very clearly monitored".
She also said there were concerns about "quite significant increases" in cases in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.
MSPs are to be given an update on the latest situation tomorrow, when the Scottish Parliament is being recalled from recess to debate the Brexit deal.
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