Cases fall again as lockdown easing begins

Scotland recorded its lowest number of daily Covid-19 cases in almost seven months yesterday.

The latest figures showed there were 199 positive tests in the previous 24 hours.

While cases are often lower following a weekend, the figure is the smallest number since 70 were recorded on September 14.

It came as youngsters across Aberdeen, Moray, Shetland and the Western Isles returned to full-time, in-class lessons following the Easter break.

Pupils will no longer have to follow strict physical distancing rules, but they will still need to wear face coverings.

The majority of Scotland’s pupils are due to return to school next Monday.

Primary schools had already resumed fulltime teaching before the Easter holidays, but a part-time blended learning system had been in place in secondary schools.

Meanwhile no new coronavirus deaths were recorded in the latest statistics, meaning the death toll under the daily measure remains at 7,630.

A total of 2,668,723 people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine as of Monday morning and 590,174 have received their second dose.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to give a coronavirus update next week, ahead of planned easing of lockdown measures on April 26.

If the virus remains under control, cafes, restaurants and beer gardens will be able to open along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums.

Travel restrictions will also ease along with limits on the numbers of people meeting outdoors and indoors in a public place.