ANOTHER 39 people have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

It brings the toll among patients who are known to have recently contracted the disease to 2966.

The First Minister also confirmed a further 1216 cases – 7.6% of all tests reported yesterday.

Some 1252 people are in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, 5 fewer than yesterday.

Of those, 95 are in intensive care, an increase of one.

A total of 481 of the new cases are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 236 are in Lanarkshire, 128 in Lothian, 80 are in Tayside and 80 in Ayrshire and Arran.

The remaining cases are spread across the other mainland health board areas.

The First Minister, updating MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, also revealed the R number – a measure of the infection rate – is "hovering" at around 1.

She said that information, as well as other indicators, suggests the strict measures imposed last month are having a positive effect.

However, the FM cautioned the Government will continue with its "careful and cautious" approach and cannot rule out a full lockdown. 

On the latest deaths, Sturgeon said: "Once again, I want to convey my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one."