Coronavirus: Scotland records another 290 cases overnight

Scotland has recorded 290 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily figure since May 1.

Of the new cases, 112 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board region and 52 in Lanarkshire, where a ban on indoor household gatherings is in place in seven council areas.

Another 47 new infections are in the Lothian area, where there are currently no extra regional Covid-19 restrictions.

The 290 new infections Scotland-wide account for 4% of all newly-tested people, the highest percentage since the Scottish Government began publishing this data in July.

The World Health Organisation says a positivity rate of 5% or higher in a country suggests the epidemic is no longer under control.

Speaking before First Minister’s Questions, Nicola Sturgeon said no new deaths of confirmed coronavirus patients have been reported overnight.

She added the government’s scientists estimate the R number in Scotland – the number of people each infected person infects in turn – is above one, and potentially as high as 1.4.

The First Minister said 52 people are in hospital being treated for Covid-19 around the country, up one in the last 24 hours.

Of those, five patients are in intensive care, a decrease of one.

The Scottish Government is carefully considering whether further coronavirus restrictions may be necessary for all or part of the country amid rising cases, Sturgeon told MSPs.

There remain specific local restrictions on private indoor gatherings in place until at least next week in Glasgow City, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and North and South Lanarkshire.

In addition, new regulations come into force on Monday limiting all social gatherings in Scotland (including indoor and outdoor meetings) to no more than six adults from a maximum of two households.

Children under 12 are not counted in the six-person limit provided they come from either of the two households.