FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon said there are "strong grounds" for hope that Covid restrictions will move beyond Level 0 in Scotland next month. 

The country moved to the lowest level of the restrictions system last week with anticipation that further rules will be eased on August 9. 

Speaking at a media briefing held today, Ms Sturgeon said that while Covid cases continue to fall, "continued caution" is needed before further regulations can be eased again. 

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She said: "The Scottish Government, as you know, hopes to lift more of the remaining Covid measures with a move beyond Level 0 from Monday, August 9.

"What we'll be doing between now and then is weighing up the different factors that will inform that decision.

"Several of these factors give us really strong grounds for hope, and that's positive - although others remind us of the need for continued caution."

Ms Sturgeon urged Scots to take up the vaccination offer in an effort to lower Covid-related deaths and hospitalisations. 

Pregnant women are being strongly encouraged to come forward for their Covid jag, with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation strongly recommending that pregnant women get the vaccine as soon as they are asked to do so.

Ms Sturgeon added: “Vaccination is the best way of protecting against the risks of Covid and pregnancy.

“And these include admission of the pregnant mother to intensive care, and also the possibility of premature birth.”

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The update comes as Scotland recorded a “new milestone” as more than four million people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in Scotland. 

The total number of second doses had reached 3,108,928.

Ms Sturgeon said: “More than four million people – 4,000,653 to be precise – have now received a first dose of vaccine.”

She added: “All adults have now been offered a first dose of the vaccine and 90% have taken up that offer and had the first dose.

“In addition, approximately 70% of adults have now had both doses of the vaccine – that includes 92% of those who are aged 40 or older.”

As it stands, Scotland recorded seven deaths of coronavirus patients and 1044 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours.

There were 472 people in hospital on Sunday with recently confirmed Covid-19 - down three on the previous day, with 63 patients in intensive care, down two.

The First Minister is due to set out Scotland’s next steps out of lockdown in the Scottish Parliament next week.