Coronavirus: 69 deaths, 758 new cases and 34,881 vaccinated

A further 69 people have died in Scotland after being diagnosed with coronavirus, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The death toll of those who tested positive now stands at 6181, however weekly figures on suspected Covid-19 deaths recorded by National Records of Scotland suggest the most up-to-date total is at least 7902.

Total confirmed cases of the virus has risen to 181,291 – an increase of 758.

The daily test positivity rate is 7.4%, down from the 9.5% reported on Monday when 848 cases were recorded.

Of the new cases reported on Tuesday, 261 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region, 138 are in Lanarkshire, 71 are in Forth Valley, 64 are in Ayrshire and Arran, and 63 are in Lothian.

The rest of the cases are spread out across seven other health board areas.

According to NHS boards across Scotland, 1939 people are currently in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 – 19 fewer than what was reported on Monday. Out of those, 143 patients are in intensive care.

The Scottish Government also confirmed that 610,778 Scots have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, an increase of 34,881 from the day before.

It added that 8345 people have received their second dose, a rise of 496.

In an update to MSPs at Holyrood on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon said lockdown restrictions in Scotland will remain in force until at least the end of February.

The Scottish Government previously said the lockdown for level four areas – mainland Scotland and some islands areas – would last until at least mid-February.

The First Minister said depending on progress “we may be able to look at a careful and gradual easing at around the start of March”.

Schools in Scotland will return on a phased basis from February 22 subject to final confirmation in two weeks’ time.

The First Minister also announced plans to introduce a managed quarantine requirement for anyone who arrives directly into Scotland, regardless of which country they have come from.

Covid-19 prevalence in Scotland was said to have fallen under the lockdown regulations.

The First Minister stated that cases went from 302 per 100,000 in the week ending January 8 to 136 last week.

She said: “Test positivity has also reduced. In the seven days up to January 29 it averaged 6.6% – still higher, but closer than it has been in recent weeks to the 5% that the WHO consider to be indicative of an outbreak being under control.

“Pressure on our NHS continues to be severe. The number of Covid patients being treated in hospital remains around 30% above the high point of the first wave last April.

“However, hospital admissions in this wave appear to have peaked on January 12.

“They have now stabilised and are starting to reduce, albeit slowly.”