The Scottish Government has recorded almost 12,000 new coronavirus cases and 18 further deaths have been reported overnight.

According to the latest Scottish Government figures, 11,957 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

This figure includes cases identified using either a first lateral flow device or PCR positive test.

Eighteen further deaths have been reported of someone who tested positive for the virus over the past 28 days.

The death toll therefore stands at 10,906 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Separate figures produced by National Records of Scotland (NRS) which record the number of deaths where Covid was mentioned on a death certificate, put the figure at 13,429 as of March 6.

NRS figures include deaths where “suspected” or “probable” Covid-19 appears on the death certificate.

A total of 19 people are currently being treated in intensive care with recently confirmed Covid-19, with 1,509 in hospital who had recently contracted the virus overall.

The total number of first vaccinations given is 4,439,150 while 4,164,671 people have now received a second dose.

3,456,977 have received a third dose or booster vaccine.