FOUR more have died in Scotland after contracting coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The deaths, recorded in the past 24 hours among people who tested positive in the previous 28 days, bring the total under that measurement to 7744.
A further 2802 cases were registered, with a positivity rate of 8%.
The First Minister said the latest statistics suggest cases are “levelling off” as she issued a message of cautious optimism.
📺 Watch live: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a press conference on #coronavirus.
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) July 8, 2021
Joining the First Minister is Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith. https://t.co/Bh0hs6jJeq
Some 401 people are in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, an increase of 14 in 24 hours.
Of those, 38 are in intensive care, a rise of four.
A total of 3,900,864 people have received the first dose of a vaccine, up by 10,688 in 24 hours.
A further 2,825,886 have received their second jag, an increase of 16,984.
Sturgeon, speaking at a Scottish Government coronavirus briefing, said: "As you can see from these numbers, the vaccine programme contiunes to make really good progress. And that should make us optimistic. But that optimism must be balanced by concern at the high case numbers we've seen. A pattern that is evident in other countries as well."
"However, on the upside and while there will always be daily fluctuations – as we can see – but looking at the figures of the last few days we can see the suggestion that the recent surge in cases may now be levelling off."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here