ALMOST all older people living in care homes have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, John Swinney has revealed in a development welcomed by Nicola Sturgeon.

The Deputy First Minister said 99% of older care home residents – regarded by the World Health Authority as the group most vulnerable to dying from the virus – have received the first dose, along with 93% of all care home residents. In the next most vulnerable group of over-80s not living in a care home, some 92% have received at least one dose.

Making the announcements, Swinney also revealed that daily coronavirus vaccinations have now almost doubled since last week to a record number as the programme steps up.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon greeted the progress on the roll-out, tweeting: “48,165 vaccinations in Scotland yesterday! Another record high – 99% (!) of older care home residents now vaccinated with first dose. And 92%+ of over-80s – extraordinary uptake. Teams now working through 70 to 79-year-olds and those clinically vulnerable, starting on over-65s. Thanks to all!”

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily briefing on the pandemic, he said that in the 24 hours to 8.30am on Friday, 48,165 first doses were administered to patients – which is the most jabs given in a single day in Scotland. It is nearly twice the number reported last Friday, when 24,197 people received their first dose.

A total of 742,512 people have now received their first dose of the vaccine.

Swinney also confirmed that 61 deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll under that measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – 6383. However, the number of new daily cases fell from 1149 to 895.

Swinney said: “That represents 4.9% of the total number of tests. This is the second day in succession in which the positivity rate has been below 5%, which is the World Health Organisation definition of a pandemic under control. This is very encouraging news. We also had the news yesterday that the R number is now between 0.7 and 0.9 – comfortably indicating that R is now below one, representing further the progress that is being made.”

A total of 1794 people are in hospital confirmed to have the virus, down 18 in 24 hours.

Swinney, who is also Education Secretary, said there was not a timetable for when most children will return to school. Nursery children and those in P1 to P3 will return to class from February 22 – along with a limited return of senior school pupils.

But asked about reports it could be mid-April before most children return, Swinney said: “We do not have a timetable for the restoration of face-to face-learning. We want to do it as quickly as is possible, and we will do that informed by the high-quality clinical advice that is available to the Government.” He stressed the need to “tread cautiously” amid fears any easing of lockdown could cause coronavirus infections to spike again.