By Bill Heaney
A total of 56 more more people have died from coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
The latest figures show there were 1,357 new Covid-19 cases recorded overnight, bringing the total number of positive cases to 79,017 since the pandemic began.
Standing in for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, her deputy, John Swinney, pictured right, said Scotland’s death toll now sits at 3,244.
According to the data, 1,228 people are currently being treated in hospital with 96 in intensive care.
It comes as three parts of Scotland officially move up to tougher levels of coronavirus restrictions today – and there are fears it could get worse.
West Dunbartonshire may be moved up to a stricter level of restriction, from level three to level four, at the beginning of next week since Covid-19 is remaining stubbornly stable here in the West of Scotland.
Mr Swinney congratulated the Scottish football team for having won their match against Serbia last night and moving on to the next part of the European competition.
However, he cautioned the Tartan Army to keep the heid and fans to stick to the Covid-19 FACTS guidelines – even if they are forced to watch the match in their own homes on television.