Perth and Kinross has recorded its highest number of COVID-related deaths over a seven-day period since May.
From November 30 to December 6 eight residents died from a coronavirus fatality - the same number recorded from May 11-17.
A total of 98 people have now died in Perth and Kinross due to COVID-19.
The figures provided by National Records of Scotland come as it was announced the region will remain in level three of COVID-19 restrictions for at least another week.
Perth and Kinross will remain in tier three along with Fife and Dundee council areas, with the First Minister saying that "a change of level would not be merited at this point".
Despite having some concerns about the infection rate in Perth and Kinross in recent weeks, she also noted that numbers had in fact “stabilised".
Between November 29 and December 5 the region had 138 new cases, at a rate of 90.8 per 100,000 people, and a 4.7 per cent positivity rate.
Those figures are an improvement on the previous seven day period which had 154 new cases, at a rate of 101.3 per 100,000, and a five per cent positivity rate.
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Nicola Sturgeon also welcomed the first round of coronavirus vaccinations that have been administered in Scotland this week, saying it was a "milestone they had all longed for."
But the she did warn residents to continue adopting a "cautious approach" and that Scotland can expect "the winter period to be particularly tough".
Following the briefing , Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: “The news that Perth and Kinross will remain in level three reflects the continued threat that COVID presents to our communities.
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“Whilst it is pleasing to see that the number of cases have slightly fallen over the past week, we must remain vigilant in order to continue suppressing the virus.
“With the start of the vaccination programme, we can look forward to better days ahead in the future.
"In the meantime, I would urge everyone to continue following the Scottish Government’s guidelines, and I thank everyone across the community for their ongoing efforts and sacrifices.”
