Covid Scotland: One in 12 people have virus as hospitalisations return to highest on record

One in 12 people in Scotland had Covid last week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates, as hospitalisations rose again to the highest figure on record.

It is the first time in eight weeks that infection levels have fallen, from one in 11 the week before.

But the number of people reported in hospital with Covid on Friday rose again after a slight dip, to 2,383, matching the previous record high set on Tuesday.

It comes as the UK as a whole saw record levels of infection, on the day free lateral flow testing came to an end in England.

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Scotland remains the nation with the highest estimated rate of infection.

Lateral flow tests will remain free in Scotland until April 18 for those without symptoms of the virus, and until the end of April for those with symptoms.

A total of 41 new deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test were reported in Scotland on Friday, while 22 people were in intensive care.

Some 4.9 million people in private households in the UK are estimated to have had the virus in the week ending March 26, up from 4.3 million in the previous week.

In England, one in 13 people are believed to have had Covid in the week to March 26, while in Wales the figure is one in 14.

In Northern Ireland it is one in 17.

Some 451,200 people were estimated to have had the virus in Scotland last week down from 473,800 people the previous week.

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