There have been 178 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Scotland in the past 24 hours. 

Nicola Sturgeon announced the latest figures at the Covid briefing and confirmed there have been 2 new deaths in the same period. 

106 people are currently in hospital with Covid with 13 in intensive care. 

It brings the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 7,644.

Giving a Covid-19 update, the First Minister said 224,092 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 223,914 the previous day.

The daily test positivity rate is 1.4%, down from 2.5%.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon - Covid progress must not be risked by ‘lax’ foreign travel rules

Yesterday, 232 new cases were reported, with no new deaths. 

2,750,052 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 797,267 have received their second dose.

A first dose has now been given to 60% of the adult population in Scotland. 

READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Places with most coronavirus cases this week

Scotland is working towards April 26 as a date when hotels, restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, and retail can reopen to customers for the first time since December.

People aged 40-49 will be prioritised for a Covid-19 vaccine in phase two of the vaccination programme, followed by those aged 30-39 and then those aged 18-29.

These groups will be vaccinated once all those in phase one (the over-50s and most vulnerable) have received a jab.