A record number of new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Scotland in the past 24 hours — for the second day running.
Speaking at Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon said that 2,999 cases had been confirmed since Wednesday, following a rise of 2,969 the day before.
The figure is the highest daily rise in Scotland since the pandemic began, while both days' totals represent triple-digit increases on the peaks seen during the second wave in January, when the whole of Scotland was in lockdown and public movement faced strong restrictions.
Five deaths were also recorded, the same as the day before.
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The test positivity rate was 7.7%, a slight increase on Wednesday before but a drop on totals seen earlier in the week.
Ms Sturgeon said: "These are rising case numbers and we've got to be cautious."
She added: "This is possibly one of the most difficult phases of this pandemic as we try to navigate out way from here back to normality, but knowing there are still a lot of risks that we've got to try and avoid."
READ MORE: Almost 3,000 new cases in 24 hours and five reported deaths
The five deaths recorded of someone who tested positive for the disease within the past 28 days brings the death toll under this measure is 7,706.
Separate figures released by the National registers of Scotland put the figure at 10,150 deaths up to 20 June, as they include those where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
According to the latest statistics, the vaccination programme has now administered 3,695,303 first doses, while 2,631,533 people have received a second.
A total of 177 people remain in hospital receiving treatment for the virus, a rise of six on the previous day, while 17 are in intensive care.
Scottish numbers: 24 June 2021
Summary
2,999 new cases of COVID-19 reported
40,952 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
7.7% of these were positive
5 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
17 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
177 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
3,695,303 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 2,631,533 have received their second dose
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