Two people from Lanarkshire have died from swine flu.

The deaths mean five people in Scotland have died from the H1N1 virus in the past two days. The Scottish Government said that the pair - one elderly person and an adult - both had underlying health conditions.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "My heart goes out to both people's families and friends. This is very sad and our thoughts are with them."

The latest figures, from Health Protection Scotland (HPS), about the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) in Scotland have also been published on Thursday. The rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses, including those with swine flu, across Scotland was 119.9 per 100,000. This is a small increase of one per cent from last week's figures.

HPS estimate that around 21,100 people have contracted swine flu in Scotland in the past week.  This is a slight decrease of one per cent since last week.

As of November 23, the government said there have been 1,104 people with swine flu hospitalised since the start of the outbreak, with 137 people requiring hospital admission in the past week.

Speaking about the weekly reported figures, Ms Sturgeon said: "This week's figures, for the third consecutive week, show a slow down with only marginal increases across consultation and swab rates. However, this is not a reason to become complacent, we must continue to do everything we can to protect ourselves and others.

"We now have over 70 per cent of all the supplies we need to vaccinate the priority groups, and that total is increasing on a weekly basis. We remain firmly on track to have offered the vaccine to everybody in the first phase of the priority groups by Christmas.

"I urge everyone within the priority groups to take up the vaccine when invited to do so as vaccination is our best defence in the fight against H1N1."

On Wednesday, the Scottish Government reported the deaths of an adult from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and an adult from the Highlands, both of whom had other health conditions. The third victim - an adult from Glasgow - did not appear to be suffering from any other conditions apart from swine flu.

Anyone who is concerned about flu-like symptoms should continue to contact their GP for advice, or NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.