A new coronavirus case was confirmed around every minute last week in Scotland, according to analysis of latest figures.

Official data from the Scottish Government shows that 12,567 positive cases were recorded between January 11 and January 17. 

That equates to an average of around 1.25 cases being confirmed every minute during the week.

This figure is down, however, on the previous week. Figures show that between January 4 to January 10, there were 15,173 confirmed cases – around 1.50 positive results every minute. 

Scottish Government statistics also show that more people are now in hospital with coronavirus than at any time during the pandemic. 

A total of 1,341 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the past 24 hours and no new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 28 days.

The number of new infections is 412 below the 1,753 announced on Saturday and is the lowest since December 28 – although there tend to be fewer cases recorded at the weekend.

But the number of patients with recently confirmed coronavirus continues to reach record levels – increasing daily since Christmas Day, when there were 973 people in hospital.

As of Saturday evening, Scotland’s hospitals were treating 1,918 infected patients, 147 of whom were in an intensive care unit (ICU).

An additional 25 coronavirus patients have been admitted since the previous day, with two more in ICU wards.

It comes as tougher lockdown restrictions were brought into force in Scotland on Saturday to combat the rapidly spreading strain of Covid. 

In response to what the First Minister called an “extremely serious” situation, further measures have been brought in to stop the spread of coronavirus and limit non-essential contact.

People who live in a Level 4 area – currently all of mainland Scotland – should not leave or remain outside their home, except for essential purposes.

Working from home has become a default position for all businesses through statutory guidance and services, and only those who cannot do their job from home should go into a workplace.

Guidance previously issued to only allow essential work to be undertaken inside people’s homes has also been placed into law.

Ms Sturgeon confirmed coronavirus regulations will change to forbid people from leaving home for anything other than an essential purpose and that police can challenge people for doing something considered not to be essential after they have left the house.

Entering businesses to purchase takeaway food and drinks has also been stopped. Now, premises will need to operate using a hatch or counter at the door. Drinking alcohol in public outdoors has also been banned.

Non-essential click-and-collect services are now prohibited.

Essential services – including clothing and footwear stores, homeware stores, garden centres/plant nurseries, baby equipment shops, electrical goods (including repairs), key cutting and shoe repair shops, and bookstores – can continue to offer click-and-collect services, but must operate with timeslots.

In a statement to Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Wednesday: “The situation we face in relation to the virus remains extremely serious.

“We must continue to do everything possible to reduce case numbers – this is essential to relieve the pressure on our NHS and to save lives.

“Both individually and collectively, these additional measures – in further reducing the interactions that allow the virus to spread – will help our essential efforts to suppress it.

“At this critical and dangerous moment, please: Stay Home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”