Covid update: Scotland sees highest case numbers since February
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A total of 992 positive test results for coronavirus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Scotland with 306 in NHS Glasgow, 213 in Lothian and 144 in Tayside while a further two deaths were noted related to Covid-19.
The jump in numbers prompted the First Minister to make a statement on the situation.
She streessed: "We are at a very critical juncture at what we still hope is a transition to a less restrictive regime.
"On the down side cases have more than tripled in the last month, today is the highest figure since February 17 and the R number is now at a level in the UK as a whole which may indicate the start of a third wave.
"Driving this is the delta variant which is more transmissible than the Kent variant we were dealing with at the start of the year and it may be increasing the risk of hospitalisation, but that is still under investigation.
"All of this gives us cause from concern and I have never shied away from this.
"That said there is an upside that we didn't have at the first and second wave and that is vaccines, but the strong indications are that vaccines are weakening the link between the virus and hospitalisations.
"Although that link has weakened it has not been broken, hospital figures are rising and the number of people in ICU has also increased.
"The decisions I set out on Tuesday were cautious and represented a pause in our easing of restrictions and we need to continue to be cautious.
"Some parts of Scotland still have low numbers or have cases defined with known clusters - they will move down to Level 1 as planned.
"If you live in one of them, please check what that means for you, especially for meeting.
"Staying in Level 2 for other areas feels like a set back but it its a caution that we must take."
