NICOLA Sturgeon has reiterated the need for Covid-19 cases in Scotland to fall in time for the "depths of winter" - on the day she revealed the country recorded its highest death total since May. 

The First Minister confirmed that 64 people have passed away in the last 24 hours after being found to have caught the virus. 

In Greater Glasgow, the number of people who tested positive has risen overnight, from 293 to 488, less than a day after the city escaped a move into Level Four restrictions. 

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus briefing: Glasgow and Lanarkshire escape move into Level 4 lockdown

"It may not seem like it," Ms Sturgeon said during her daily briefing, "but the fact is the measures we have adopted in recent weeks have been having an effect. 

"There's no doubt when we look at the date that these measures have slowed the rate at which cases were increasing. 

"Everyone should be under no doubt these measures have had an effect and they will save lives. 

"We cannot yet be sure we are seeing a sustained fall. We need to see cases come down overall.

Glasgow Times: Prof Jason Leitch also reiterated the need to follow the rules Prof Jason Leitch also reiterated the need to follow the rules

"It would not be a good position to be in to go into the depths of winter with the cases at the rate they are now." 

Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland's national clinical director, also outlined the need to stick to the rules. 

He said: "This is not the time to take our foot off the brakes. It is the time to be restrictive and that's why we can't go into each other's homes." 

The latest stats: 

Scotland has recorded 64 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest since May 6, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

It brings the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – to 3,143.

The First Minister told the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing 1,261 positive tests were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the daily test positivity rate to 6.5%, down from 9.5% on Tuesday.

Glasgow Times: Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon

A total of 76,448 people have tested positive in Scotland, up from 75,187 on Tuesday.

Of the new cases, 488 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 272 in Lanarkshire, 145 in Lothian, and 80 in Ayrshire and Arran.

There are 1,235 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, down four in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 93 are in intensive care, down by nine.

More to follow...