Scotland recorded another record daily spike in Covid cases on Thursday as Dundee’s infection rate continued to soar.
A total of 2,999 new cases of the virus were reported on Thursday, the highest ever daily number registered since the pandemic hit.
The previous record for daily cases was recorded on Wednesday, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stating the record number of tests returned for that day gave context to the high increase.
On Thursday 40,952 new tests reported a result, an increase of the seven day average of just over 28,000.
Despite this, test positivity remained above average, with 7.7% of tests returning a positive result for coronavirus in Scotland.
The average test positivity rate in the previous seven days was 6%, according to Public Health Scotland data.
A further five people were also reported to have died after recently testing positive for the virus, including one in Dundee.
It means that since March last year some 7,706 people have died who have tested positive.
As of Wednesday, June 23, 177 people were in hospital after testing positive whilst 17 were receiving treatment for the virus in intensive care units across Scotland.
Dundee Covid rate
A total of 171 new cases of the virus were reported in Dundee, alongside 188 in Fife.
The number of cases per 100,000 also increased significantly, with data now indicating a case rate of 470.13 per 100,000 population.
This is an increase on the rate of 419.23 on Wednesday.
Civic leaders in Dundee have called for “another collective effort” from the people of the city to halt the escalating spread of coronavirus.
The Lord Provost Ian Borthwick and Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said everyone has a part to play by following guidance and hygiene measures in the weeks leading up to proposed easing of restrictions.