 | | | Sam Shedden | | Engagement Editor |
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Good morning, Welcome to The Scotsman newsletter. A new poll has suggested the majority of Scots do not favour holding an independence referendum in the next two years. More than half of Scots (52 per cent) said there should not be a referendum on Scottish independence in the next two years, while 38 per cent said they believed one should take place before the end of 2023. How do you feel about the prospect of a second independence referendum? Have your say in the article's comments section. There was welcome news yesterday when Nicola Sturgeon said the rate of increase in new cases of Covid-19 has begun to slow. While it tends to fluctuate, the number of new cases announced each day may also be falling, now below 6,000 for two days in a row. Ms Sturgeon emphasised this is grounds for “cautious optimism”, but this good news does not extend to Covid-related hospitalisations and deaths. Our health correspondent Elsa Maishman believes hospitalisations are likely to reach their peaks in the weeks to come, as a proportion of the huge recent spikes in case numbers develop into serious illness. Don't forget you can access unlimited articles, exclusives, agenda-setting opinion, expert analysis, get daily puzzles and see 70% fewer online ads from just £3 a month. For the same price you can also gain full access to our app (Digital+) and read every print edition of The Scotsman or Scotland on Sunday on tablet or mobile. Sign up today and become a Scotsman subscriber under no obligations. Your support allows us to continue reporting on the issues which matter to you. More of the day's biggest headlines are below. Thanks for reading. | 
