Covid figures 'very encouraging' for second day

Scotland has recorded 61 deaths from coronavirus and 895 positive tests in the past 24 hours, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said.

The number of new cases has fallen from the 1,149 announced on Thursday, although the number of deaths has increased from 53.

It brings the death toll of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days to 6,383.

Speaking during the Scottish Government's daily briefing, Mr Swinney said 184,313 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 183,418 the previous day.

The daily test positivity rate is 4.9%, the same as yesterday.

There are 1,794 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, down 18 from 1,812 since yesterday, and 123 patients are in intensive care, down four.

As of 8.30am, another 48,165 patients had received a first dose of coronavirus vaccine, taking the total to 742,512.

The increase is the largest daily increase since the vaccination programme began.

A total of 99% of older care home residents have received a vaccine, along with 93% of all care home residents.

In the over-80s group, 92% have now received at least one dose.

Road clearing due to bad weather will be prioritised around vaccination centres, the Deputy First Minister has said.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for snow in parts of Scotland in the coming days, but John Swinney said the Scottish Government and its partners are working to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

Mr Swinney said: “We're prioritising the clearance of roads in and around vaccination centres, that is standard practice around NHS facilities wherever there is snow or ice.

“These measures should help to ensure that people are able to meet their destinations.''

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the Deputy First Minister said invited for a vaccination can rearrange their appointment by following the instructions on the letter they received.

A testing centre for asymptomatic people will open next week in Fife, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said.

The centre, part of a drive by the Scottish Government to test people in the community regardless of symptoms, will open in Cowdenbeath on Wednesday, while four more will open in Fife in coming weeks.

Mr Swinney said proposals for similar centres from 19 local authorities were expected to be agreed by the end of Friday, and further agreements due to be reached next week.

Lateral flow tests will be used at the centres, but any positive cases will be confirmed using the more sensitive PCR tests.

Mr Swinney said: “The targeted expansion of testing in these communities will help more people find out if they have Covid, even if they don't have symptoms.

“It will help them to know if they or their contacts need to self-isolate and will therefore play an important part in helping us to stop the spread of the virus.''

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