Coronavirus: Scotland records 697 new cases overnight

Scotland has recorded 697 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

There have been no further deaths overnight, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on Monday.

The 697 fresh cases amount to 12.8% of newly-tested Scots.

Of the new cases, 242 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region, 145 are in Lothian, and 130 are in Lanarkshire.

The remaining 180 cases are spread across nine other health board areas.

Total confirmed cases of the virus now stands at 32,906 since the start of the pandemic.

The official death toll in Scotland is 2530, however weekly figures on suspected Covid-19 deaths recorded by National Records of Scotland suggest the most up-to-date total is more than 4200.

According to management information reported by NHS boards across Scotland, 218 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 – an increase of eight overnight. Out of those, 22 patients are in intensive care.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s press briefing, Sturgeon said coronavirus was on the rise again.

She said: “It is vital that we do everything we can to get this situation under control.”

Commenting on further restrictions, Sturgeon stated: “Given the numbers we are seeing – I have been very open about this over the past few days – it is possible that we will have to do more.

“There may well be a need for some further restrictions in the near future.”

The Scottish Government will consider the latest clinical evidence and advice later on Monday, with the cabinet due to meet on Tuesday morning to discuss the situation.

The First Minister also announced that guidance for people attending parent and baby groups had changed following a review.

Concerns had been raised about the impact restrictions had on the ability of groups to run, as previously only up to five adults were allowed to attend.

The changes mean that, where babies are under the age of 12 months, up to ten adults can now attend a group, so long as other health and safety criteria are met.

In groups where babies are over the age of 12 months, the maximum number of adults remains five.

Sturgeon said: “We know parent and baby groups are vital in supporting health and wellbeing, particularly at the moment, but we also know that any setting where groups of adults come together poses a risk of transmission.

“What we hope is that this change, while not satisfying everybody, will strike a better balance between supporting the wellbeing of new parents and in particular supporting perinatal mental health while also making sure the we are taking appropriate steps to try to stop the virus spreading.”