57 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Edinburgh and Lothians as Scotland's death toll rises by 40

Fifty-seven new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the NHS Lothian board area in the past 24 hours.

The latest figures, published by the Scottish Government this afternoon, showed an increase from 932 to 989 cases in the region.

As of midnight, there were five more people with confirmed or suspected coronavirus in hospitals within NHS Lothian compared to the day before, with three less people in intensive care.

It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a further 40 people who have tested positive for the virus have died, taking the official total to 615.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest figures on coronavirus at a briefing on Tuesday.

But Ms Sturgeon ackowledged that this figure will be much higher, given likely delays in reporting deaths over Easter weekend.

Figures will also be published by the National Records of Scotland on Wednesday that will provide a wider picture by including deaths recorded outside of hospitals, and cases where Covid-19 is recorded as the “suspected” cause of death.

Ms Sturgeon said 6,358 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 291 from 6,067 the day before.

And 1,798 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.