Humza Yousaf has described the increasing number of Covid cases in Scotland as “concerning” as the virus rises to the same levels as the January peak.
There were 11,957 newly recorded coronavirus cases within the past 24 hours, Government figures published on Wednesday showed, which is the highest since January 11 when 12,604 were reported.
The Health Secretary said that the “recently rising Covid-19 case numbers are concerning and a reminder that Covid is still with us”.
The latest data also showed there were 1,509 people in hospital on Tuesday with recently confirmed Covid-19, up 69 on the previous day, with 19 in intensive care, no change.
The SNP MSP tweeted: “With a rise in cases we have also seen a steady rise in Covid hospital occupancy. Over the last week there has been a 23% rise (1509 people with Covid in our hospitals).
“Rising numbers in our hospitals and community (which contributes to Covid-related staff absences) all impact our NHS recovery."
And he added: “Important we do not let our guard down and we continue to abide by remaining guidance and regulations that help to keep us safe.
“Vaccinations have been a game-changer, a reminder it is not too late to get your first, second or booster dose if eligible.”
So far 4,439,150 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,164,671 have received their second dose, and 3,456,977 have received a third dose or booster.
Last month, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, announced that assuming there were “no significant developments” in the fight against the virus, the legal requirement to wear a mask on public transport and in some indoor settings will be ended by March 21.
Also on Wednesday, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed that as of Sunday 13,429 deaths had been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Of those who died in the latest week, seven were aged under 65, 21 were aged 65-74 and 82 were aged 75 or over.
There were 69 deaths in hospitals, 34 in care homes and seven at home or in a non-institutional setting.
Glasgow had the highest number of deaths at 15 followed by Edinburgh (14) and Fife (12).
Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services at NRS, said: “The latest figures show that last week there were 110 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is 30 more deaths than the previous week.
“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,178, which is 3% more than the five-year average.”
Of those who died in the week of February 28 to March 6, NRS said 57 were male and 53 were female.
The statistics are published weekly and cover all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
They differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government because the NRS figures include suspected or probable cases.
In the Scottish Government statistics released on Wednesday, they said there had been 18 further coronavirus linked deaths recorded.
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