Covid in Scotland: New cases pass 3,000 to reach new record high

A further 3,285 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Scotland, setting another new record for the number of positive tests.

A total of 12.6% of those tested for the virus were positive. No deaths were recorded, although registration offices are generally closed over the weekend.

The previous highest number was the 2,999 cases reported last Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steep rise" in cases showed that people should be "really careful".

But she said there was "positive news" from the vaccine programme, which she said was preventing a similar rise in the number of people in hospital or losing their lives.

The government aims to move the whole of Scotland to the lowest level of the five-tier system of restrictions on 19 July, before lifting most measures entirely in August.

However, the announcement of these plans has coincided with a sharp rise in new cases of the virus, with infections surpassing the highest levels of the "second wave" in January.

Ministers hope the vaccine programme can break the link between rising case numbers and serious illness, leading to hospital admissions, and deaths.

A total of 202 people were in hospital on Sunday with a recently-confirmed case of Covid-19, with 20 in intensive care.

Meanwhile, 3.7 million people have now had a first dose of a vaccine, while just under 2.7 million have had two doses.

Ms Sturgeon said: "We're seeing quite a steep rise in Covid cases right now.

"The positive news is that vaccination is providing a lot of protection so we are not seeing a commensurate rise in the number of people going into hospital or intensive care, or dying from the virus."

However, she stressed that people should not be complacent.

"There are still a number of people who are not yet fully vaccinated, although we are vaccinating as quickly as supplies will allow," she said.

"And while this vaccine programme is highly effective, vaccines are not 100% effective.

"So if we don't want to see the virus run ahead of the vaccines, it's really important everybody is really careful."

The first minister would not be drawn on whether the increase in cases would have an impact on the planned easing of restrictions, saying a formal review would be carried out closer to the time.