Scotland records 35 deaths and 2911 new cases of coronavirus

Scotland has recorded 35 deaths and 2911 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

Official figures show that as of Wednesday, 998 people were in hospital, with 74 patients in intensive care.

Of the 6793 new tests for Covid-19 that reported results, 6.7% of those were positive.

Around 4.1 million people in Scotland have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine, with around 3.8 million having received their second dose.

The statistics come ahead of the introduction of the Scottish Government’s Covid passport scheme on Friday at 5am.

It will mean that people will have to show proof that they are fully vaccinated to enter a nightclub or adult entertainment venue, or to attend large-scale events.

Earlier this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed however that businesses will be given a grace period to allow them to implement the scheme.

The change means that a business will no face enforcement action for non-compliance until October 18.

A challenge from nightclub bosses failed on Thursday after a bid from the Night Time Industries Association seeking an interim order to stop the measures failed.

The organisation’s lawyer, Lord Keen of Elie QC, had argued that the scheme was “unlawful”, “irrational” and “disproportionate”.

But the Scottish Government’s lawyer, James Mure QC, told the Court of Session that the Scottish Government hadn’t acted unlawfully.

He said the scheme would encourage young adults to get vaccinated and help stop the transmission of the virus.