Image source, Ruth Moss

A fatal accident inquiry into the death of a teenage girl who took her own life has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Sophie Parkinson died aged 13 at her family home in Liff, outside Dundee, in March 2014.

The inquiry was due to begin on Monday following a number of preliminary hearings at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Sophie's mother Ruth Moss said she was disappointed, but the decision to postpone the inquiry was "completely understandable."

Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said it was clear that across the UK the numbers of cases was not the same.

She said the evidence of community transmission was very much concentrated around London.

Dr Calderwood said the numbers of cases in Scotland was well behind London and also behind the rest of England.

"We are watching the numbers in London very carefully and we have not got that sustained transmission to the same extent," she said.

The chief medical officer then said that if we can "suppress" the spread of the virus perhaps we can slow that community transmission and slow the explosion of cases that has been seen in other countries.

In a question and answer session at her media conference Ms Sturgeon was asked if "lockdown" measures would be needed.

She said she did not find the term helpful.

The first minister said her government had always said it would keep further, more stringent measures under review.

"I am saying very clearly that it should not be assumed that what we are asking people to do now will not become even stricter and more difficult in future," she said.

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government did not have powers to order the closure of pubs and restaurants, although there was emergency legislation going through Westminster.

That would deliver additional powers to the Scottish government which Ms Sturgeon said she would consider using "responsibly" if necessary.

Chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood told the first minister's media conference that we are in the cusp of an escalation in cases of the coronavirus.

She said there was evidence of "sustained community transmission across Scotland".

The CMO said the measures such as closing schools and stopping social contact were not taken lightly.

"All of the scientific advice tells us that these measures will be effective to slow the progress of the virus, to prevent many people becoming so sick they are committed to hospital and sadly die because of the disease," she said.

Ms Calderwood added that the measures would not be effective if people did not comply with them.

The first minister closes by thanking people for making big changes in their lives as part of the national endeavour to slow down the spread of the virus.

"But I cannot stress this enough, all of us, as we go into this weekend and beyond, need to follow the guidance," she sad. "It is there for the protection of all of us.

"Let's not look back in a few weeks and wish we had done more to protect ourselves and each other."

The first minister says some people have felt the need to "stockpile" certain items, leading to supermarket shelves being emptied of some goods.

"My advice is please do not do that," she said.

"If everyone remains sensible in their shopping then there is more than enough to go round."

Ms Sturgeon said supermarkets and pharmacies would remain open and supplies would get to them.

Ms Sturgeon said this was an "unimaginably difficult time for businesses".

The first minister said her message was that she knew it was difficult and she would do everything she could to help.

She said she welcomed what the UK government had done so far but she would be pushing for more help for people.

Ms Sturgeon said she was hoping for a substantial announcement from UK chancellor Rishi Sunak later today.

Ms Sturgeon called on businesses to allow staff to work from home if they could.

The first minister said she knew that younger people would be disappointed not to socialise with their friends this weekend.

She said: "Please do not think that this advice just applies to other people and not to you.

Ms Sturgeon said the risk to young people was lower but they could pass it on to people who were vulnerable.

"Please do not take that risk," she said.

Ms Sturgeon said people did not like being told what to do by politicians.

"But please understand and believe me when I say this is vital," she said.

"It is vital for your own protection and for the protection of your loved ones," she said.

Ms Sturgeon said it was vital for the protection of the NHS and all of us.

The first minister said she was asking people to fundamentally change the way they live their lives.

She said people might be thinking of heading to the pub for one final night out but they should not.

"My guidance to you is crystal clear- please do not do this," Ms Sturgeon said.

"You must not consider this vital health advice to be merely optional."

Ms Sturgeon reiterated the advice to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Reduce social contact unless it is absolutely essential to go out, she said.

That means working from home, where possible, she said, and staying away from crowded places like pubs, restaurants and cinemas.

Those over-70, eligible for the flu vaccine or pregnant should take the advice particularly strongly, she said.

If you show symptoms of a new and persistent cough and/or fever you should stay at home for seven days.

If someone in your household is showing symptoms, you should all stay at home for 14 days to ensure you don't become infected and pass the infection on to others.

The first minister said she "fervently wished we were not having to close schools but it is essential to help us reduce the impact of this virus".

Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to say to all young pupils: "Thank you for all your hard work this year. You are all an enormous credit to your schools, communities and your parents."

The first minister also thanked teaching staff and those in the education service.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told a media conference there are now 322 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Scotland - up 56.

She also said there had been no more deaths so the figure remains at six.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to give her next briefing at 12:30 which will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland and streamed live here.