Good afternoon, Welcome to your breaking coronavirus news bulletin from The Scotsman. In a time when conspiracy theories are spreading like wildfire, accurate, informed news is more important than ever before. But we can't keep going without your help. Please consider taking out a subscription with us from just £3 a month. Thank you. Over 1,800 Covid cases recorded in 24 hours A total of 1,895 people have tested positive with coronavirus in the last 24 hours - and seven more people have died. It's the sharpest rise in figures in some time and comes as cases surpassed 120,000 in Scotland overall. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is urging people to stay at home for Hogmanay, particularly in light of this development. For the full coronavirus figures where you live, see our story here. How you could help with the vaccine rollout in Scotland It's thought the coronavirus vaccine will be available for those with the highest priority by the end of spring. But there's a way people can "make a massive difference" to the rollout by helping the NHS. Find out more about these new opportunities in our story here. Stark plea over outbreak of new Covid strain A coronavirus outbreak in Wigtownshire has sparked a stark warning from a public health official to residents in Dumfries and Galloway. It comes after cases of the new Covid strain in the region doubled in a 48 hour period. Interim health boss Valerie White said there is a "very serious concern" about the impact on services with the current rate of the spread. Read more about the outbreak in our story here. More Covid news this afternoon What are the symptoms of the new Covid variant? Tier 4 Scotland lockdown rules explained 'Please bring in 2021 with your own household' urges Nicola Sturgeon >> Don't miss the latest breaking coronavirus news in Scotland, see our live blog. Thanks for reading and stay safe, Ginny - [email protected] |