Humza Yousaf has admitted he is concerned by the rise in covid cases in Scotland with one in 20 people now testing positive for the virus.
The health secretary spoke out as Covid-19 infections are continuing to spike in all four nations of the UK.
But he praised the success of the Scottish Government's spring booster programme which has seen the vast majority of Scots aged over 75 receive a fourth dose of vaccine.
Scottish Labour described the infection rate as "alarming".
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Yousaf said: "While, of course, rising Covid infection levels are of concern, I am pleased we have a highly vaccinated population.
"Our Spring Booster campaign has been immensely successful with 91 per cent of those over 75 years old and 86 per cent of elderly care home residents receiving their Covid vaccine."
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in the week ending June 17, an estimated 250,700 people in private households had the virus – equating to around one in 20.
This is up from around one in 30 people the previous week and is the highest level in the UK.
Covid levels are continuing to rise in all four nations of the UK, with the increase likely caused by infections of the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
It is estimated that around one in 45 people in Wales had the virus in the week to June 18, one in 40 in England, and one in 30 in Northern Ireland.
Kara Steel, senior statistician for the ONS Covid-19 Infection Survey, said: “Rates have continued to rise across the UK, with the largest increase seen in Scotland."
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "These alarming figures are a stark reminder that we still need to protect the most vulnerable from this virus.
"As rates rise to these high levels it is essential that we find a way to keep people safe without having to resort to lockdowns.
"Far too many people formerly on the shielding list feel like they have been abandoned by the SNP as they wait for their booster vaccine.
"The SNP must set out how they will protect people amid rising cases, and they must bring forward booster jabs and make antivirals available for the most vulnerable.”
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