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 1149 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 6383.

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

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

There are 1794 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, down 18 from 1812 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.