Nicola Sturgeon appeals to the public after rise in coronavirus deaths in Scotland: 'We're not powerless'

The First Minister addressed the country from the daily press conference in Edinburgh.

Nicola Sturgeon has appealed to the public to keep following the rules after reporting that seven people have died from coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

This is the highest number of deaths recorded since June 17.

In her Wednesday press conference, the First Minster said: “We're not powerless in the face of it.

Nicola Sturgeon gives her daily briefing from Edinburgh.

"Don’t see this as inevitable...we’ve all got our parts to play.”

Current Scottish coronavirus guidelines state that people are not allowed to visit in other homes, and outdoor meetings must involve six people or less from only two households.

There is also a 10 pm curfew on all pubs, bars and restaurants.

Ms Sturgeon added: “We interrupted it in the summer, we can do it again.

“Our job, all of us, is to take the opportunity away from it to spread...it can be done”

Scotland saw 640 new coronavirus cases reported, with 137 people in hospital and 15 people in intensive care.

Lothian saw a rise of 160 cases, Greater Glasgow and Clyde saw 232 case and Lanarkshire saw 73 new cases.

The First Minister added that is was clear Covid was on the rise, saying: “I wish so much that I could say something different.”

The new figures also show that the infection rate is increasing across all age groups, not just the young, despite some large clusters focused around university’s halls and student accommodation.

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