The National:

At a debate following the First Minister’s Covid-19 update today, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross was drowned out by the sound of chickens, and it has to be said this latest addition to the Conservative benches made a far more valuable contribution than your average Scottish Tory MSP.  We're looking at you, Murdo Fraser.

Today's debate was dominated by the recent surge in Covid infections across Scotland with the Scottish Government announcing plans to introduce vaccine passports for admission to nightclubs and large events.

Case levels in Scotland are 80% higher now than last week and five times higher than they were four weeks ago. Much of the increase has been seen among younger people who are less likely to be vaccinated than older age groups. It is hoped that the measure will help to tackle the increase in cases among younger people and encourage them to get vaccinated. 

The First Minister said that the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant had "changed the game in a very challenging way". She warned that if the surge in cases continues, the NHS will come under severe pressure. 

She noted that while the successful roll-out of vaccinations had weakened the link between rising case numbers and hospitalisations, it had not broken it completely.

The next few days will be crucial...

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