Coronavirus briefing: Nicola Sturgeon announces seven Covid deaths, the highest daily total since June

Nicola Sturgeon has announced seven new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest in a day since June 17.

The First Minister said it was a “sharp reminder” of the continuing dangers of Covid-19, urging Scots to stick with the rules introduced earlier this month.

The deaths, of patients who first tested positive for the virus in the previous 28 days, take the toll under this measure to 2,519.

Three of the deaths were in Glasgow, two in North Lanarkshire and one each in Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire.

The National Record of Scotland weekly figures, also released today, show that 10 deaths were registered last week.

These include deaths registered where Covid hasn’t been confirmed but is a suspected cause of death, with the total now at 4,257.

#NRSStats show as at 27th September a total of 4,257 deaths have been registered in #Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, 10 deaths were registered between 21st-27th September. https://t.co/ffoG5wN93q pic.twitter.com/PAdmXnKqOX

— NatRecordsScot (@NatRecordsScot) September 30, 2020

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said 640 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours.

This is 10.3% of newly-tested individuals, down from 11.5% the previous day.

A total of 29,244 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 28,604 on Tuesday.

There are 137 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, up by 14 in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 14 were in intensive care, down two from the revised figure of 16 the previous day.

Ms Sturgeon said that Covid hospital admissions have risen by 60% from last week.

She ended her address with a message: “Stick with this, for the sake of yourselves, your families, your communities and the whole of Scotland.”