| Good afternoon, Welcome to your breaking coronavirus news bulletin from The Scotsman. Thanks for reading. If you value the work we've been doing throughout this crisis, please consider taking out a digital subscription with us. From just £3 a month you can support our journalism and protect our future. Give us a try here. More than 2,000 new Covid cases Coronavirus is continuing to surge in Scotland as it was revealed this afternoon 2,045 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours. It's a jump from the already high figure of 1,895 reported yesterday as the new strain is "fast becoming" dominant in the country, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Get a picture of the latest Covid figures including for where you live here. 'Final sacrifice' plea over Hogmanay People in the Capital are being urged to make one of their "final sacrifices" of the coronavirus pandemic by shunning house parties for Hogmanay. Edinburgh city leaders have issued the public plea after a "significant" surge in Covid cases across Scotland. How will you be spending Hogmanay? See what police and council bosses had to say here. Here's when the Oxford vaccine will be available Amongst the doom and gloom there is certainly some good news as it was confirmed the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine will be rolled out in Scotland from as early as next week. This new approval will allow Scots to be vaccinated from the virus much more quickly. Find out all we know about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine here. More Covid news this afternoon >> Keep up to date with the latest breaking coronavirus news as it happens with our LIVE blog. Thanks for reading and stay safe, Ginny - ginny.sanderson@jpimedia.co.uk | 
