Four more coronavirus deaths as Sturgeon says restrictions 'worth it'

Scotland has recorded four coronavirus deaths and 6329 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to figures published by the Scottish Government on Sunday.

It means the death toll under this measurement, of people who tested positive for the virus in the previous 28 days, has risen to 10,199.

There were 1441 people in hospital on Sunday with recently confirmed Covid-19, down 17 on the day before, with 41 in intensive care, down one from the previous day.

Figures for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – the biggest health board by population in the country – were not submitted in time for the Sunday update and figures published on Friday were used instead.

So far, 4,405,821 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,105,220 have received their second dose, and 3,252,819 have received a third dose or booster.

The figures come as restrictions put in place to tackle the Omicron variant are set to be eased on Monday.

Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that the cap on indoor events will be lifted, along with requirements for table service in places selling alcohol, and social distancing.

Speaking on BBC’s Sunday Morning show, the First Minister said she believed the restrictions were “worth it”.

“The short answer, I think, is yes they were, although they have a big impact on businesses, and individuals.”

She added: “If you look at what we were predicting through our modelling would be the case in January before Christmas… it was around 50,000 infections a day and we didn’t see that materialise or anything like that materialise.

“I think that was a combination of the acceleration of the booster campaign… these sensible, balanced, protective measures we introduced before Christmas and lastly – perhaps most importantly – the magnificent, responsible response of the public who changed their behaviour in the face of Omicron in order to try to stem transmission.

“So, yes, I think what we did has been worth it and we’re hopefully now seeing Scotland… very firmly on the downward slope of that Omicron wave.”