SCOTLAND has recorded another nine Covid-related deaths and 1016 new cases in the past 24 hours.
It brings the death toll under the daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 7952.
The daily test positivity rate is 8.1%, up from 6.5% the previous day.
A total of 406 people are under hospital care with recently confirmed Covid, with 61 in intensive care.
So far, 4,014,212 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 3,231,331 have received their second dose.
Nicola Sturgeon said cases are falling and the number of people in hospital is also declining.
More than three million have had both doses of the vaccine.
"All of this is good news and I think it demonstrates the value of taking a steady approach to easing restrictions," the First Minister said.
Sturgeon also said vaccine take-up has been "exceptional" but there is still more to do.
She said invitations to get the jag have now gone out to 12 to 17-year-olds with specific health conditions and she says the government is also hoping for updated advice from the JCVI on possible vaccinations of others in younger age groups.
The government also "stands ready" to implement a booster jab programme in the autumn if that is recommended.
More to follow.
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