Coronavirus Scotland latest: 64 new deaths in 24 hours, highest since beginning of May

Scotland has recorded 64 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest since May 6, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

It brings the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 3,143.

The First Minister told the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing 1,261 positive tests were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the daily test positivity rate to 6.5%, down from 9.5% on Tuesday.

A total of 76,448 people have tested positive in Scotland, up from 75,187 on Tuesday.

Ms Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde:488
• NHS Lanarkshire: 272
• NHS Lothian: 145
• NHS Ayrshire and Arran: 80
• The remaining are spread across eight other health boards.

There are 1,235 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, down four in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 93 are in intensive care, down by nine.

4,856 total deaths

A total of 4,856 people have died in Scotland with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The figures show 206 deaths relating to Covid-19 were registered between November 2 and 8, up 38 from the previous week

Of these, 143 were in hospital, 53 in care homes and nine at home or in a non-institutional setting.

The statistics are published weekly and account for all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Current Covid-19 alert levels

The first minister summarised the changes made to Scotland’s Covid restriction levels – stressing that overall case numbers must fall if areas are to have measures relaxed:

Fife, Angus and Perth & Kinross are to have tougher coronavirus rules imposed amid concern over an increase in cases – with a move from level 2 to 3

However, up to six people from two households in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles will be able to meet inside their homes from Friday

Officials are concerned about a sharp rise in cases in Stirling and Inverclyde, and to a lesser extent South Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

The first minister advised that if you live in a level 3 council area do not travel outside of that area, except for essential purposes.

Ms Sturgeon pointed out level 3 covers virtually all of the central belt, Dundee and from Friday Perth, Angus and Kinross.

She says people should not travel to level 3 areas or indeed outside of Scotland unless it is essential.

Nobody, from Friday, outside of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, should be visiting each other’s homes.

Students able to go home for Christmas

Nicola Sturgeon announced Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead will deliver a statement on how university students should be able to return home for Christmas.

You can watch the statement live at 2.50pm on BBC Scotland or online.

The first minister says it will reveal how students can get tested before going home.