A futher 2,529 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Scotland the last 24 hours – including 106 in Ayrshire.
Figures published by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland today follow First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that Scotland will move to Level 0 restrictions from next Monday.
But she warned there would be "certain modifications" to the government's previously published route map due to high case numbers.
Latest statistics show there are 506 Covid patients in Scottish hospitals which is an increase of 37 from yesterday.
There are 41 people with the illness being treated in ICUs across the nation which is an increase of one over the last 24 hours.
A further four people have also died from the disease meaning Scotland's Covid death toll now stands at 7,761.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament on the decison to ease restrictions the First Minister said: "Certain mitigations, such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings will remain in place, not just now but in all likelihood for some time to come.
“It is important to stress that measures like the continued wearing of face coverings are important not just to give added protection to the population as a whole, but also to get protection on the assurance to those amongst those who are particularly vulnerable and previously had to shield.
“Lifting all restrictions and mitigations right now would put all of us at greater risk, but in particular it would make it much more difficult for the most clinically vulnerable to go about their normal life.
"It would risk the imposition of shielding by default and in my view that is not something we should do."
In terms of Public Health Scotland's rolling seven-day infection rate per 100,000 population, Midlothian has the highest rate in the country — at 654.3 as of Monday, July 13.
Dundee City has the second-highest infection rate at 584.7. while East Lothian is third with 494.0.
Of Ayrshire's three local authorities, East Ayrshire has the highest rate of 217.2 compared to North Ayrshire's rate of 251.6 and South Ayrshire's 203.4.
And from Ayrshire's new cases, 40 were reported in North Ayrshire, there were 38 in East Ayrshire and 28 in North Ayrshire.
7-day infection rate per 100,000 population for each council area...
48.7 Na h-Eileanan Siar
65.4 Shetland Islands
104.4 Moray
115.5 Dumfries & Galloway
125.7 Orkney Islands
166.5 Argyll & Bute
186.3 Clackmannanshire
200.6 Aberdeenshire
203.4 South Ayrshire
216.7 Highland
217.2 East Ayrshire
239.8 Scottish Borders
246.3 Stirling
251.6 North Ayrshire
256.5 South Lanarkshire
340.6 East Dunbartonshire
341.8 Falkirk
343.3 Aberdeen City
353.4 Perth & Kinross
364.4 North Lanarkshire
369.6 Renfrewshire
370.3 West Lothian
374.5 Fife
382.3 West Dunbartonshire
411.0 Glasgow City
430.2 East Renfrewshire
450.9 Angus
452.4 Inverclyde
455.7 City of Edinburgh
494.0 East Lothian
584.7 Dundee City
654.3 Midlothian
There are 15 Covid patients in Ayrshire hospitals – down four from yesterday – while fewer than five people are battling the disease in intensive care in the region.
A total of 3,941,571 people have received the first dose of a Covid vaccine and 2,903,557 have received their second dose.
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