SCOTLAND has recorded one new death of a Covid patient and 860 new cases in the Scottish Government's latest figures.
The death toll in Scotland under the daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 7677.
The 860 new positive tests for Covid-19 had a positivity rate of 3.4% – a fall from the previous day's rate of 3.9% but much higher than figures recorded in previous weeks.
The number of new daily cases reported today was a fall from yesterday's figure of 922, which was the highest figure recorded since February 17.
READ MORE: All the lockdown changes explained as areas across Scotland enter new levels
Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday that Scotland is at a "critical juncture" in what the Scottish Government hopes will be a transition to less restrictions, but added that the country is now in a "fragile" position.
She also warned that Scotland, and the rest of the UK, seems to be at the start of a third wave of coronavirus as the surge in cases is being driven by the newer delta variant.
However, she also said that there are “strong indications that vaccines are weakening the link between rising case and hospitalisations” but warned this link has not yet been completely broken.
The latest data shows 116 people were in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 and eight of those were in intensive care.
Some 3,345,842 people have now received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 2,202,547 have received a second jag.
Covid restriction levels have changed across Scotland today, find out what level your area is in below.
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 here