THERE have been 525 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Scotland in the past 24 hours. 

According to Scottish Government statistics, there have been 18 deaths in the same period. 

74 people are in intensive care with recently confirmed Covid while 898 people are in hospital.

Yesterday, 581 new cases were reported, with 27 new deaths. 

1,570,153 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 72,178 have received their second dose. 

In the last 24 hours, 27,224 people have been vaccinated with the first dose. 

Scotland is working towards April 26 as a date when hotels, restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, and retail can reopen to customers for the first time since December.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that Scotland will follow Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on the next stage of the coronavirus vaccination programme.

People aged 40-49 will be prioritised for a Covid-19 vaccine in phase twi of the vaccination programme, followed by those aged 30-39 and then those aged 18-29.

These groups will be vaccinated once all those in phase one (the over-50s and most vulnerable) have received a jab.