Coronavirus in Scotland: Drop in positivity rate 'very encouraging' as virus appears 'under control'

Mr Swinney said the figures met the WHO classification of being 'under control'

Mr Swinney held a briefing today, in which he said that another 61 people had died from the virus in the last 24 hours.

Standing in for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, he also highlighted a slight drop in the number of covid19 sufferers in hospital, and those who are in intensive care units (ICU).

He said: “It is the second day in succession, in which the positivity rate been below five per cent, which is the World Health Organisation’s definition for a pandemic under control.

“This is very encouraging news.

“We also had the new yesterday that the R numbers is between 0.7 and 0.9, comfortably indicating the R is now below one, representing further the progress that is being made.

"1794 people are currently in hospital, 18 fewer than yesterday. 183 patients are in ICU - four fewer than yesterday.”

However, the Deputy First Minister said that the death toll in Scotland had continued to rise, with the number increasing this morning.

He continued: "And I'm very sorry to report that 61 additional deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours, of a patient who first tested positive over the last 28 days.

"That takes the total number of deaths under that measurement to 6383.

"Every death under this virus is a source of grief and heartbreak, and I want to send my condolences once again to all of those who have lost a loved one during this pandemic.”