There have been 640 new confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded in Scotland over the last 24 hours.
This number represents 10.3 per cent of newly tested individuals.
160 of the new cases were in the NHS Lothian health board area - which was the second highest tally in the country.
The First Minister announced there are 137 people in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, which is 14 more than Monday, and 15 patients are in intensive care.
Nicola Sturgeon also reported that seven people had died from the virus in the last 24 hours alone.
Ms Sturgeon added that hospital admissions had risen by 60 per cent last week.
Tuesday saw a huge surge in the number of new cases when compared with Monday, as 806 infections were recorded across the country in just 24 hours.
Nicola Sturgeon suggested the spike may have been due to a lag in processing results, which she referred to as "the weekend effect".
The First Minister also voiced concerns for the older generation as it emerged that over a third of the cases recorded in Tuesday's tally were among people aged over 40.
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'.
The latest figures come as two more Lothians schools have reported positive cases of coronavirus, at Portobello High School and Newbattle High School.
