Coronavirus: R number in Scotland could be as high as 1.4, Nicola Sturgeon says
The first minister says the news is a "reminder of the need for us to take this seriously and do all the right things".
Thursday 3 September 2020 15:02, UK
The coronavirus reproduction rate in Scotland could be as high as 1.4, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking at her daily COVID-19 briefing, she said the "overall prevalence" of coronavirus remained "low" in Scotland.
"Nevertheless, this is a further reminder that the virus is spreading again here," she said.
The first minister added: "It is a reminder of the need for us to take this seriously and do all of the right things."
The R rate refers to the number of people on average that an infected person passes the virus on to.
A figure above one means the virus is growing.
Ms Sturgeon said a further 101 people had tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours - 53 of whom were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde areas.
Local lockdown restrictions were imposed for Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire earlier this week, affecting some 800,000 people.
Residents in those areas have been told not to visit other people's homes, with the restrictions initially being put in place for the next two weeks.
One further person has died after testing positive for coronavirus, Ms Sturgeon said, bringing the total number of fatalities in Scotland to 2,496.
The death occurred in August but has only just been reported.