Three coronavirus deaths recorded in Scotland - for first time since June

Three patients who tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland have died with the illness, the first minister has confirmed.

A total of 176 positive tests were recorded across the country yesterday - which is 2.3% of those newly tested.

Nicola Sturgeon says it is the first time three deaths linked to Covid-19 have been registered since June 30.

It takes the total number of deaths under that measure to 2,499.

At the Scottish Government's daily briefing the First Minister said there were "warning signs" that the virus could be picking up pace, and asked the public to do whatever possible to keep themselves and others safe.

She said:" The decision we all make as individuals still affect the safety and well-being of our communities.

"So please do everything you can to avoid creating a bridge for the virus to cross over from one person to another or one household to another.

"If you do that there is less chance of you getting the virus and less chance of you transmitting the virus, and of course of you being contacted by Test and Protect and being asked to self isolate."

Meanwhile in Fife, there have been less than 100 new cases of coronavirus confirmed since the middle of June - among a population of about 370,000.

Just two of the new cases registered yesterday were in the Kingdom.

Our reporter Anas Hassan asked Scotland's national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, if he could pinpoint any specific reasons for the numbers staying so low in the region.

You can see Prof Leitch's response in our video above.