The number of people left waiting in A&E wards has hit the highest levels on record for the second week in a row.
The Scottish Government target is for patients to be seen and discharged or admitted to hospital within four hours - but last week 8,610 people were not dealt with in the target time.
A record 1,015 people waited more than 12 hours - an increase of 35 per cent on the previous seven days.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf blamed the rising number of people testing positive for covid and staff absences for the delays.
Scottish Labour said the NHS was being "completely failed" by SNP and Green ministers.
The figures cover the week that the number of patients in Scottish hospitals with Covid reached the highest level seen during the pandemic.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "Another week and another record-breaking failure in A&E due to the SNP.
"Staff are working tirelessly but they are being completely failed by Humza Yousaf and his SNP government.
"Thousands of lives are now being risked in A&E departments on a weekly basis – this is completely unacceptable.
"Experts have warned that hundreds of lives have been lost due to the crisis in A&E.
"It’s about time that Humza Yousaf realised that he is a government minister and not a commentator on this crisis.
"Humza Yousaf must act to support NHS services before more lives are needlessly lost.”
Yousaf said: "The unprecedented impact of the pandemic is continuing to take its toll on our NHS and these latest figures continue to underline the extent of the pressure on services.
"We are currently seeing record high levels of covid transmission and more people in our hospitals with covid than at any time during the pandemic and this rise in recent weeks has inevitably had an impact on services like A&E.
"The Chief Nursing Office is now reviewing national infection control guidance with a view to easing current restrictions which have added to hospital pressures through reduced bed numbers.
"Staff absences and a growing number of acutely unwell patients, resulting in longer stays, is also having an impact."
He added: "For many A&E will not be the right place for their healthcare need.
"People should consider whether their condition is an emergency, such as a stroke, heart attack or major trauma, before going to A&E.
"Local GPs can be contacted during the day for non-critical care, as well as local pharmacies. If you think, you need A&E but it is not an emergency NHS 24 telephone service is available on 111."
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