Coronavirus: Five more deaths and 1027 new cases in Scotland

Another five people have died with coronavirus in Scotland, while new cases are more than 1000 for the second day running.

It takes the death toll among confirmed Covid-19 patients to 2538, but including weekly figures which count suspected Covid deaths the figure is close to 4300.

A total of 1027 new coronavirus infections have been recorded in the last 24 hours, which amounts to 13.5% of newly-tested Scots.

It takes total cases in Scotland over the course of the pandemic to more than 35,000.

The numbers of people in hospital with the virus rose by 18% overnight, up by 58 to 377.

There are 31 people being treated in intensive care, an increase of three in 24 hours.

Of the 1027 new cases, there are 405 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, 230 in Lanarkshire, 152 in Lothian and 73 in Ayrshire and Arran.

The four health board areas, along with the Forth Valley region, will be subject to harsh new restrictions from Friday evening when all licensed premises will be forced to close for 16 days.

For the rest of Scotland, a 6pm indoor curfew will be placed on all pubs, restaurants and cafes, and they will not be able to sell alcohol inside.

Outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens will be able to serve alcohol and can stay open until 10pm, under the terms of a previous curfew.

According to public health data, more than a quarter (26%) of positive Covid cases in Scotland reported visiting a hospitality venue.

The Scottish Government has pledged £40m in additional funding to support businesses affected by the latest restrictions, which will be in force from October 9 to 25.

Speaking before First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs the R number in Scotland – the average number of people each person with Covid-19 passes the virus to – could now be as high as 1.6.

The FM said the rising number of cases is why the Scottish Government announced “significant new measures” to try to tackle the virus yesterday.

Sturgeon said: “I recognise how hard these restrictions are for individuals and for businesses, hospitality businesses in particular, which is why we are making financial support available.

“But these steps are essential to get the virus back under control as we go further into the winter period.”

She urged people to comply with the new rules, saying: “They are hard and painful for all of us, but they are about the protection of life and health.”