ANOTHER 53 people have died in Scotland after contracting Covid-19, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
A further 1149 cases were also confirmed, though the positivity rate (4.9%) dropped to below 5% for the first time in more than a month.
The deaths, recorded among those who tested positive in the previous 28 days, mean the total under that measurement is now 6322.
Some 1812 people are in hospital with recently confirmed coronavirus, 53 fewer than on Wednesday.
Of those, 127 are in intensive care, a decrease of four.
The First Minister, speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing, said the low positivity rate represents a “ray of sunshine”, though she warned against complacency.
She also welcomed the “positive news” that hospital admissions are beginning to stabilise and decrease, but said the NHS remains under “severe pressure”.
READ MORE: How many people in Scotland have been vaccinated so far?
Of the new cases, 339 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 190 are in Lanarkshire and 159 are in Lothian. The remaining cases are spread across nine other health boards.
The First Minister also revealed the R number – the rate of virus reproduction – remains below 1.
Sturgeon went on to provide an update on vaccine numbers.
She said 98% of older residents in care homes, and 89% of staff working in older people's care homes, have had the first dose of a vaccine.
At least 90% of those aged over 80 and living in the community have also been given a jag.
The FM commented: "Let me be clear, these are not figures for people offered vaccination. These are people actually vaccinated.
"These are quite extraordinary uptake numbers, and they are hugely important given the toll the virus has taken on older people in care homes."
She
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel