REGIONAL BREAKDOWN: 159 new Covid-19 cases across Scotland – including 11 in the north and north-east

A further 159 new confirmed coronavirus cases have been recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours.

The latest update from the Scottish Government shows the country’s total number of positive cases since the pandemic began is now at 21,878.

A total of  653,440 people in Scotland have been tested since March and of these, 631,562 were confirmed negative.

The new figures show 274 people were in hospital with confirmed Covid-19 and six people are being treated in intensive care.

There have been no new deaths related to the virus recorded in the past 24 hours, with Scotland’s death toll sitting at 2,499.

A regional breakdown of the figures shows there have been eight new cases recorded in the Grampian area, taking the total to 1,991.

There are currently 14 people in hospital after testing positive in the north-east.

In the Highlands, three new cases have been recorded, bringing the total number to 470.

No new positive cases have been recorded on Orkney, Shetland or the Western Isles.

Their totals sit at 17, 56 and nine respectively.