Two deaths as Scotland records 465 new coronavirus cases

Scotland has recorded another 465 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed there have been two deaths of people who have tested positive.

The total number of fatalities among those who have had a positive test now stands at 2510.

The new cases represent a positivity rate of 7.9% among those who were tested.

Of the cases, 219 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area – where a significant cluster is associated with student accommodation at Glasgow University.

There were 66 cases recorded in Lanarkshire and 73 in Lothian. The remaining 107 cases are spread across nine other health boards.

Sturgeon said the latest figures showed why the Scottish Government had announced further “tough measures” aimed at curbing coronavirus.

Speaking about the restrictions, which include a countrywide ban on household gatherings, Sturgeon said: “With some limited exceptions none of us should be visiting each others homes at the moment.”

A 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants will take effect from Friday and the First Minister appealed to people to “limit visits to and social interactions in pubs and restaurants as much as possible”.

She said: “These measures are tough, I think we all know that, but they are necessary if we are to keep schools open, resume more non-Covid NHS services, keep care homes safe and protect jobs.

“And if we don’t act now the danger is the virus will continue to spread and even more severe or longer lasting restrictions will be required later.

“But if we can start to reduce the number of new cases over the next few weeks we will be better placed for the winter ahead.”