Covid-19 infections continue to reduce

The proportion of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Scotland continued to fall last week, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows an estimated 83,700 people in private households had Covid-19 in the week ending November 15 – about 1.59% of the population.

This equates to around one in 65 people, down from one in 55 the previous week.

In England and Wales it was one in 65, and in Northern Ireland it was one in 55.

Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for Covid-19 infection survey analysis, said: “Infections have continued to decrease across much of the UK, except in Northern Ireland.

“We will continue to monitor the data closely as the winter months progress.”

It comes after National Records of Scotland data published on Thursday showed confirmed or suspected Covid-19 deaths in Scotland fell in the week to Sunday.

There were 40 deaths registered in the week to November 20, seven fewer than the previous week.