The next question is about prisoners being released early and the first minister says that power to do this will only be used as a last resort.

Government minister Mike Russell adds that this would require regulations to be approved by the parliament and certain categories of prisoner are excluded, for example those with life sentences.

The next question at the first minister's briefing is about the advice given to the construction industry and whether there is cross-border confusion on this issue.

The first minister says there will be differences of opinions but does not want to criticise the UK government.

Apart from construction work that is really essential, other building should not continue as normal, she says.

This is a precautionary judgement, she adds.

BBC Scotland's health correspondent Lisa Summers asks about estimates of the number of deaths, given reports that the figure only includes those who have died in hospital.

The first minister says Health Protection Scotland does not believe the figure is an underestimate.

National Records for Scotland's death registration statistics will cover all deaths and look at whether Covid-19 is on death certificates, she adds.

Both these sources of information will come together to deliver a robust figure going forward, she adds.

The chief medical officer adds that if there is an underestimate of deaths, it is not significant.

This is because we are not seeing significant transmission in the community where people are getting very unwell without being in hospital, Dr Calderwood explains.

The BBC's Sarah Smith asks if the first minister is concerned about bringing in "draconian" measures.

Ms Sturgeon replies she did not ever want to be a first minister announcing these measures

The first minister points out all of the powers are required to address the outbreak but none will remain longer than they are necessary.

There are clear points of scrutiny in the legislation, she says.

Ms Sturgeon says she does not underestimate the damage to the economy or the difficulty individuals face, but in time these can be repaired.

"What we can't do is bring people back to life," she says.

That is why the measures must be followed to save lives, she adds.

Constitutional Secretary Mike Russell tells the briefing that the emergency legislation which he is bringing before the Scottish Parliament is necessary and has been developed with the opposition parties.

The provision to prevent evictions is central to the bill,bhe explains.

It will also deal with a range of issues in the criminal justice system, as well as being able to ensure the business of government can continue even without physical meetings, he says.

These will not be the final measures, as more will need to be looked at in the weeks ahead, Mr Russell warns.

He adds there will be two opportunities to renew the bill at six-month intervals, but measures will not be renewed if not necessary.

Scotland's chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood says the capacity for testing has increased, which means some key workers are now being tested.

The increased number of cases is not simply because of more testing, she says, as the proportion of positive tests is increasing day by day.

This is happening even with these measures in place, Dr Calderwood says.

She says the only people we are not seeing a sustained increase in is those under 15, while in all other age groups numbers are continuing to increase. This is in line with the experience globally, she adds.

The first minister says the most important actions in dealing with this virus are the ones begin taken by everyone.

She says that is staying at home and limiting contact with people as much as possible.

"I end today by asking everyone in the country to stick with it," she says.

"You are helping us to save lives."

The first minister tells the media briefing that it is clear this emergency makes it impossible that targets for new early education and childcare provisions to be brought in by August.

She says there is no longer a statutory duty on local authorities to meet the target by August.

The £350m Communities Fund is open and money is being allocated, says Ms Sturgeon, who confirms £1.5m is going to Scottish Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland.

The Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline remains open, she says, on 0800 027 1234.

The first minister tells the briefing just over 6% of NHS staff are off work with symptoms or self-isolating.

Testing of key workers has begun and as that expands more staff will be able to get back to work as quickly as possible, she adds.

Ms Sturgeon says a target was set to reduce delayed discharges from hospitals by at least 400 or 35% from the baseline of 4 March and that has been achieved.

Efforts are ongoing to improve on these figures, she says.

The first minister says she is joined by the chief medical officer and also by Mike Russell to talk about the forthcoming emergency legislation.

The Coronavirus (Scotland)Bill, external was introduced this morning by the constitution secretary.

It provides for the continuing functioning of the justice system and relaxes some statutory processes.

It also provides greater certainty for tenants against eviction.

She says the government will ensure these provisions don't stay in force for any longer than necessary.

The first minister pledges the cross-party approach seen with this bill will be continued going forward.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms 1,993 people have tested positive for Covid-19, up 430 from yesterday.

108 of these are from one lab unable to submit data at the weekend, which partially explains the significant increase she adds.

135 people are being treated in intensive care, up from 108 yesterday, while there are 1,073 suspected or confirmed cases in hospitals.

A further 13 people with coronavirus have died, taking the total to 60.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will update the media on the latest efforts in Scotland to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

Ms Sturgeon will also reveal the latest number of deaths in the country due to the virus, which in the latest update stood at 47.

There were 108 people in intensive care.

Image source, Reuters

The UK's health secretary has said he is "on the mend" after contracting coronavirus.

Matt Hancock described his symptoms as mild and that he was continuing to work from home while self-isolating.

"It's hard to extrapolate from one person but the good news for me is I was lucky and it wasn't too bad," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

He added: "The figures show that for the vast majority of people - around four in five - they have mild symptoms and it's like a bad flu.

"But unfortunately, as we know, for some people it's much more serious."

BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, bbc

Lunchtime Live kicks off at noon on Radio Scotland and of course will bring you coverage of the latest media briefing from the Scottish government due around 12.30pm.

You can listen here on this live page.

The programme will also have:

• the latest on UK government efforts to repatriate up to 300,000 people left stranded abroad
• an interview with the chief executive of Crossreach - one of Scotland's biggest voluntary sector social care providers whose calling for personal protective equipment for her staff immediately
• analysis of the Scottish government's Covid-19 emergency legislation up for debate tomorrow
• it'll hear from an Inverness-born school teacher in Northern Italy whose pupils have advice for our youngsters

Image source, bbc