Coronavirus in Scotland: 11 new deaths as country records more than 1,000 cases in 24 hours

Of the new cases, 524 were confirmed in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 321 in Lanarkshire, 174 in Ayrshire and Arran and 166 in the Lothians.

The remaining were reported from the nine other health boards across the country.

To date, 985 people are being treated for Covid-19 in hospital, and 84 people are in intensive care having recently tested positive for the virus.

Breaking news picture: JPI Media

A total of 55,449 in Scotland are confirmed to have had the virus since the start of the outbreak in March, according to government figures.

The country’s death toll currently stands at 2,699 and 4,376 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

According to the Scottish Government, 46 per cent of coronavirus registered deaths related to deaths in care homes, 47 per cent were in hospitals and seven per cent were at home or non-institutional settings (this data was last revised on October 14 2020).

Health boards in the Central Belt are subject to tougher restrictions on hospitality as a result of a spike in cases in recent weeks.

A mobile pop up testing centre for coronavirus in Edinburgh's western general hospital picture: JPI Media

The new figures come as the Scottish Government announced a new five-tier system designed to tackle the virus, breaking the country up into localities where restrictions will vary depending on the prevalence of the virus.

Ranging from as close to normal without a vaccine in Level 0 to Level 4, which would resemble - but fall short of - a full lockdown, the protection levels will be debated in the Scottish Parliament next week and will come into effect on November 2.

Schools will remain open in all levels but will use tougher protection measures in different tiers, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday.

However, socialising will shift based on the different levels, ranging from no indoor socialising and six people from two households in Level 4 to eight people from three households indoors and 15 people from five households outdoors in Level 0.

Scottish Government COVID-19 press conference at St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh with the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon - 23 October 2020

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