There have been 597 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Scotland in the past 24 hours. 

According to Scottish Government statistics, there were seven deaths in the same period. 

Meanwhile, 42 people are in intensive care with recently confirmed Covid while 440 people are in hospital.

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17,208 new tests were carried out with 3.8% of these being positive.

On the vaccine front, 1,943,507 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 170,892 have received their second dose

The death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – has now reached 7,517.

The Public Health Scotland figures show 210,605 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 210,008 the previous day.

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It comes just as Nicola Sturgeon is due to address MSPs in Holyrood regarding the latest lockdown update.

The First Minister is expected to lay out any changes in restrictions, which will likely cover the phased reintroduction of retail and hospitality.