A TOTAL of 93 Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in Scotland over the last 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed at this afternoon’s coronavirus briefing.

Speaking at the update the First Minister said the total number of deaths recorded under the Scottish Government measurement – where a patient dies within 28 days of testing positive for the virus – now stands at 4872.

Today's figure is the highest daily number of coronavirus deaths recorded since the start of the pandemic.

There were 2309 coronavirus cases reported over 24 hours, accounting for 8.1% of all tests. The total number of positive tests in Scotland since the start of the pandemic now stands at 146,024.

Of the new cases 692 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 390 are in Lanarkshire and 320 are in Lothian.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Scotland lockdown LIVE: Nicola Sturgeon warns of even tougher rules

The First Minister also said there are now 1530 people in hospital with Covid. The number of people in hospital with the virus now exceeds the number recorded at the peak of the first wave (1520).

It is an increase of 62 since yesterday. “That really does underline the severity of the pressure our hospitals are currently facing,” Sturgeon said.

There were two more people in intensive care, taking the total to 102.

The update came as it was announced international travellers entering Scotland will soon be required to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

Travellers, including UK nationals, will be asked to provide certification of a negative test carried out up to 72 hours before arriving at the airport.