Covid update: Overall cases show first signs of decline, but test positivity continues to increase

Scotland saw a slight drop in positive cases as a total of 1782 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours compared to 1877 the previous day.

This equated to 11.5 per cent of those tested (10.0 the previous day).

The NHS Greater Glasgow area saw 594 (487) cases, Lanarkshire 307 (305) and Lothian 174 (237) while NHS Grampian recorded 121 (199) and NHS Highland saw 67 (97) cases.

One further death was also recorded in Scotland with Covid-19 as a contributing factor in the last 24 hours.

The NHS Grampian area recorded 1590 cases in the last seven days taking the overall total to 10,178.

Public Health Scotland's most up to date figures cover the seven days between January 2 and January 8 show Aberdeenshire recorded 734 positive cases (up from 724 the previous day) which equated to 11.9 per cent of all tests carried out (down from 12.4 per cent) and a positive test rate per 100,000 population of 277.2 (down from 287.9)

For the same time period, Aberdeen City saw 685 cases (up from 661) equating to 11.6 per cent of all tests (down from 11.9) and positive test rate of 281.0 per 100,000 (down from 299.6).

In the daily area figures, Longside has become the first to register more than 40 cases in a seven day period for an individual area, while Ellon, Inverurie and Stonehaven all have comparable numbers across their respective east/west town splits.

As schools in Aberdeenshire returned to online learning this week speaking at the daily briefing today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said to youngsters: "I don't underestimate how difficult this is today learning at home and away from your friends, you are having the toughest of times but you are coping incredibly well and I want to assure people that we will give as much support as is possible.

"Getting schools back to normal remains a priority."

With vaccinations now being rolled out at an increased pace she added: "From today we will be publishing vaccination figures.

"As of yesterday 163,377 had received their first dose and from this morning more than 1100 sites are now in operation.

"This an important milestone in the programme and we are working through people as supplies allow."

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