Coronavirus in Scotland: A further 2,529 new Covid-19 cases reported as new variant responsible for half of reported cases

A total of 2,529 cases of coronavirus have been recorded as the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reveals today that the new strain is responsible for half of the new cases and that proportion continues to rise.

This takes the total number of recorded cases of coronavirus in Scotland to 139,027.

The new cases represent 14.8% of the total number of tests.

695 of new cases were reported in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 388 in Lanarkshire, 322 in Lothian and 210 in Tayside with the remaining cases spread across the remaining health board areas.

Speaking about the impact of the new variant at her briefing today, Ms Sturgeon said: "The new variant is now responsible for around 50% of new cases of Scotland and that is a proportion that is rising.”

A total of 11 deaths have also been recorded in the past 24 hours, however, Ms Sturgeon noted yesterday was a Bank Holiday so could lead to ‘artificially low’ figures.

The total number of deaths is now 4,633.

1,347 people are currently in hospital, 255 more people in hospital since last week.

Princes Street in Edinburgh is deserted as people stay home under new lockdown travel restrictions (Photo: Katielee Arrowsmith, SWNS).

93 people are in intensive care, 28 more than a week ago today.

A raft of tighter restrictions came into affect across all Level 4 areas in Scotland as of midnight last night.

On Monday, the First Minister announced a lockdown would be in effect in mainland Scotland until at least the end of January to combat further spread of the new coronavirus strain.

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Being back in lockdown is really hard to take for everyone, but it is necessary to slow down this new strain of the virus while we get people vaccinated.

"Please - for you own safety, that of your loved ones and of the whole country: Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives.”

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