Coronavirus: Death toll rises by 13 as cases exceed 10,500

Another 13 people in Scotland with coronavirus have died, the First Minister has confirmed.

It takes the official death toll in the country to 1262, however weekly figures including suspected Covid-19 deaths suggest the most up-to-date total is now nearly 2000.

Confirmed cases of the virus have risen by 197 to 10,521, Nicola Sturgeon added.

There are 134 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, an increase of one on Sunday, she added.

There are 1762 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

Ms Sturgeon added that 2380 people who have tested positive for coronavirus have now been able to leave hospital.

She said the overall trend in statistics gives “cause for cautious optimism”. with the numbers in intensive care down by around a third in the last fortnight.

But she warned easing restrictions too quickly could enable the virus’ reproduction rate to rise above one again, and quickly reverse the progress that has been made.

Sturgeon said: “This progress remains very fragile and now is a time for all of us to exercise careful caution.

“It’s certainly not the time to throw caution to the wind.”

The First Minister added: “For all of our sakes, and to protect the progress that together we have made, all of the measures that are currently in place need to remain in place for now.

“The job is not done yet. We need you to stay the course.”

She said Scottish Government officials were looking at how the measures can be lifted, but she said the re-opening of Scotland would not be a “flick of the switch action”.

The FM also urged business owners not to re-open their firms if they cannot adhere to social distancing measures, saying a further increase could hit the economy and individual companies harder than remaining in lockdown.

She further indicated the Scottish Government will issue advice to the public on face coverings “hopefully tomorrow” to provide clarity on the issue.

Sturgeon said she was sympathetic to the idea of using face coverings if necessary, such as in enclosed spaces.

But she stressed the guidance will not be a substitute for continuing to observe current social distancing and hygiene advice.