Scotland records 20 deaths and 8725 new cases of Covid with restrictions set to be further eased

Scotland has recorded 20 deaths and 8725 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

Official statistics indicated that as of Tuesday, 1226 people were in hospital with a recently confirmed case of the virus.

The figures published by the Scottish Government also showed there were 16 people in intensive care.

As of March 1 this year, the national case definition has been updated to include reinfections.

It comes after a further easing of restrictions in Scotland, with the requirement for pupils and teachers in secondary schools to wear face masks in classrooms dropped earlier this week.

The Covid passport scheme, which was introduced in October last year, was also scrapped on February 28.

Meanwhile, the legal requirement for people to wear face coverings in certain indoor settings and on public transport will be dropped and instead become guidance from March 21.

The statistics showed that just over 4.4 million people in Scotland have received their vaccination dose, whilst just over 4.1 million have had their second dose, and around 3.4 million have had a third or booster dose.

Appointments for a further vaccination dose will be offered to those aged 75 and over, as well as those at highest risk from the virus, from mid-March.

Children aged between five and 11-years-old will also be offered Covid-19 vaccination.

Appointments will be offered to children in that age category from March 19.