The drugs, which save an extra life for every 12 intensive care patients treated, can be used immediately, say experts.

More than half the patients at some hospitals have the virus, forcing other care to be cut back.

Strict new Covid-19 restrictions come into force in Scotland, prohibiting people from leaving their homes.

Mainland Scotland faces tougher restrictions from midnight, and schools will remain closed until February.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine programme is being rolled out less than a week after it became the second approved in the UK.

Pharmacies ask government to employ its high street network to accelerate delivery of newly approved vaccine.

The deal between the UK and EU ends months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights.

London now has the highest percentage of people testing positive in the UK, ONS figures suggest.

UK markets close for Christmas in upbeat mood, hours before the Brexit trade deal is announced.

Officials on both sides are hammering out the final details ahead of an expected announcement.

While this is a "critical step forward", seed potatoes are not included because of EU regulatory fears.

The move by Britain's biggest supermarket comes amid shortage fears due to disruption at UK ports.

Nicola Sturgeon warns that the current top level of restrictions may need to be tightened further.

The government borrowed £31.6bn last month as it continued to support the economy during the pandemic.

Boris Johnson says his position is "unchanged", as time for the UK and EU to reach a deal runs short.

Officers in Scotland "will act" if they believe there is a "flagrant" breach of travel restrictions.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak extends the furlough scheme for one month until the end of April 2021.

The Bank of England says trying to predict economic progress is hampered by a lack of a Brexit deal.

Non-essential shops will have to close from Christmas Eve, with a level 4 lockdown from 28 December.

Lower prices for clothing and food push down the UK's inflation rate to 0.3% in November.

An airfield could be used as a lorry park in the event of post-Brexit delays at Cairnryan.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian will all move up to level three of the country's tiered system.

Annie Innes, 90, from South Lanarkshire, is the first person to be be vaccinated in a care home.

Nicola Sturgeon says Scots planning to meet up at Christmas should cut down on "unnecessary contacts" now.

Stricter rules will come into force after Christmas if Covid cases do not fall, first minister warns.

Demand from buyers is "losing a bit of steam" in some areas of the UK, surveyors report.

A new report identifies that UK and foreign travel was the trigger for the second wave of the pandemic.

Details of a further £185m of support for Scottish firms hit by Covid-19 restrictions are announced.

All 11 council areas currently under level four restrictions are to be downgraded to level three on Friday.

The first people to be offered the coronavirus vaccine begin receiving their jabs.

As people in Scotland wait to hear what Covid alert level their area will be put in to, we analyse the statistics and ask whether the toughest measures have been working.

Nicola Sturgeon says 11 councils in west and central Scotland will come out of the highest tier of restrictions.

The lateral flow tests will be trialled among visitors to 14 care homes in five local authority areas.

Patient care could be put at risk if an agreement is not made before the 31 December departure date.

The first batches of the vaccine, which arrive in Scotland on Tuesday, will be given to health staff.

People in Scotland could start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine from next Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon says.

Ministers will continue to "look carefully" at Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, but both will remain in level two.

Pubs and restaurants will have to shut at 6pm and will not be able to serve alcoholic drinks.

Nicola Sturgeon says the one-off cash payment is to thank health staff for their "extraordinary service".

Two new mass testing programmes are under way in a bid to drive down infection rates before Christmas.

Government guidance says the bubbles should contain a maximum of eight people over the age of 11.

An increase in the money coming to Scotland but uncertainty about costs and pay awards.

Covid hotspots are still emerging across Scotland, but the number of daily deaths is declining.

Wales' first minister warns people to act responsibly after government agrees relaxed Christmas rules.

Nicola Sturgeon says the existing restrictions in place across Scotland are "having an impact" on the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon says there could be a "careful" easing at Christmas - but does not expect a relaxation at new year.