SCOTLAND has recorded 26 coronavirus-linked deaths and 8203 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to the latest figures.

It means the death toll under this measurement, of people who tested positive for the virus in the past 28 days, has risen to 9997.

From Thursday, figures published by the Scottish Government include cases identified using either a first lateral flow device or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positive test.

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Authorities said that while improving, there continue to be large volumes of tests being processed by laboratories which has had an impact on turnaround times, “resulting in delays between specimens beings taken and results being received and reported”, and that Public Health Scotland is continuing to monitor the situation.

There were 1560 people in hospital on Wednesday with recently confirmed Covid-19, up 23 on the previous day, with 58 in intensive care, down one.

So far 4,395,793 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,057,606 have received a second dose, and 3,159,109 have received a third dose or booster.