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Image source, bbc

The first minister says the setting up of Scotland's own expert group to advise on tackling the spread of coronavirus will provide bespoke tailored granular advice for Scotland

The new advisory group is to be chaired by Prof Andrew Morris of Edinburgh University, director of Health Data Research UK.

Dr Calderwood says it is important to look for these clusters to track sources and provide local data.

The first minister wraps up the media briefing.

A journalist asks about advice for those people who had been thinking about starting or growing a family.

"As the obstetrician in the room this had occurred to me," replies Dr Calderwood, particularly with people having more time on their hands.

She says almost all maternity services are emergency services so all women who are currently pregnant should be coming forward.

We have planned for all of the babies that would have been born to have exactly the same care, she adds.

People are making difficult choices so I would encourage people to think about what is best for their health, says the CMO.

The first minister says if we decide to have a field hospital, we will decide its capacity based on what we need. We will also want to make sure it can be scaled, she adds.

Regarding ventilators, Ms Sturgeon says a group is looking at maximising manufacturing capacity in Scotland. She says if other schemes, including the order from Dyson, deliver this will be over and above what the Scottish government has planned.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the aim is to double the number of intensive care beds Scotland currently has and keep some for non-covid patients.

"We are on track for that doubling," Ms Freeman says.

The aim is to quadruple the number and that work is under way, as are efforts to secure more ventilators, she adds.

Ms Freemans says that in terms of normal beds, 3,000 will be released from the existing bed capacity to set them aside for Covid patients and that has nearly been achieved

On the issue of using the New Sick Kids hospital in Edinburgh, work is ongoing to resolve all safety issues, but right at this moment the hospital is not safe for patients, she says.

Ms Freeman says that is why the Scottish government is investigating the possibility of field hospitals to create more capacity.

Nicola Sturgeon says the number of people in intensive care is now 57.

There is spare capacity in intensive care right now and the work to increase it is ongoing, she adds.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood hopes the rapid acceleration in Scotland will not be as rapid as in other parts of the UK, but adds that that is not to say it won't be rapid.

Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood says the suppression measures will need to be in place for some time and there will be a spike of cases.

We have asked experts to watch what is happening in other countries who have lifted restrictions to get evidence for what we should be doing, she adds.

On the planned field hospitals, Dr Calderwood explains this is about increasing NHS capacity. We are in early discussion with colleagues in the armed forces to discuss what we need and where sites will be, she explains.

Asked how much the on-the-spot fine will be, the first minister says detail on penalties is being finalised and will be published later today. She says the government hopes for a consistent position across the UK.

I would hope these enforcement measures do not have to be used as they are there to underline the seriousness of what we are having to do, she adds.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood says the number of cases announced today were a very significant underestimate.

She says the estimate is that there could be 40,000 -50,000 people in Scotland who are infected.

Many of them don't yet know they are infected nor do they realise they can infect others, she says.

The CMO adds: "This is going to be a long haul."

As the weekend comes, like no other you've ever experienced, don't relax those rules and don't be tempted to see families from other households, she warns.

Confining yourself to your own household is so key and so important

"The virus is out there you do not know who has got it, so stay away from as many people as possible."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the face masks had expiry dates of June and August 2019 but they have been independently tested to ensure they were safe and valid.

We are paying close and detailed attention to the overall stock of PPE for health and care staff, she says, adding that the government has taken over ordering, supply and distribution of PPE for care staff.

We have no shortages in those areas as of today, she states.

Ms Sturgeon says various support funds have more flexibility to help anyone facing hardship.

She accepts there may be long waits for universal credit or statutory sick pay but encourages people to apply nonetheless.

She also recommends speaking to councils about council tax, energy companies and mortgage providers or landlords to see what they can do.

The earlier you reach out, the earlier you can access assistance, she adds.

The first minister says these measures are essential in order to tackle the virus and its impact on us all.

Ms Sturgeon pivots to the provision of PPE (personal protective equipment) to health and care staff.

"This is an issue we attach the highest priority to," she says.

She announces that 1.5 million face masks have been brought back into use from the NHS Scotland stockpile, which were past their expiry date.

The have undergone extensive testing and are fit for purpose.

She say the Scottish government will do whatever is required to ensure self-employed people get the help they need.