Image source, Getty Images

Smokers and vapers are more at risk if they catch coronavirus, experts have warned.

The British Medical Journal also says smoking involves repetitive hand-to-face movements - which increases the likelihood of people touching their face.

Speaking on Mornings with Kaye Adams, Dr Sandesh Gulhane explained smoking is an irritant on the lungs and can cause problems with airwaves narrowing.

"Now is the time to quit," he added.

• Information on stopping smoking is available on the NHS Inform website., external
• The national helpline has been temporarily halted but some health boards are still running support lines - check your local Quit Your Way service.
• Health boards across Scotland have suspended face to face clinics.
• Pharmacies will also be able to help.

Image source, bbc

The first minister will update the media on all the latest Coronavirus developments in Scotland from around 2pm this afternoon. We'll bring you extensive coverage as ever.

We expect Nicola Sturgeon to be joined by the chief medical officer and the health secretary.

Testing is key to tackling coronavirus and the UK hopes to increase the number of people tested to 25,000 a day in the coming weeks.

Daily testing in the UK reached about 8,000 people by the end of March.

Here are the Scottish test numbers: 01 April 2020

A total of 17,007 people in Scotland have been tested. Of these:

• 14, 697 tests were confirmed negative
• 2,310 tests were positive
• 76 patients who tested positive have died

Image source, Getty Images

• Coronavirus in Scotland: How many cases are there?
• Coronavirus: Can I get tested for coronavirus?
• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson vows more virus tests as UK deaths exceed 2,000

• Health officials in Italy and Spain both say there is evidence the outbreak is slowing. The two countries are the worst affected worldwide in terms of deaths, with Italy reporting 13,155 and Spain recording 9,053
• Authorities in France say 570 people have died in nursing homes in the Grand-Est region alone. The official national death toll only includes those who die in hospitals, and there are growing concerns that many more have died in care homes. BBC Paris correspondent Lucy Williamson has covered the crisis
• The number of confirmed cases in Russia has jumped by 771 cases in 24 hours, to a total of 3,548

• And the tiny principality of Andorra reportedly has plans to test its entire population. According to the news site ARA, health minister Joan Martínez Benazet says all 77,000 citizens of the state will get antibody tests

Image source, Nicole Javed

More than 1,000 chocolate Easter eggs are being left on doorsteps of homes in Bishopbriggs and surrounding communities such as Kirkintilloch and Robroyston.

Nicole Javed, of Bishopbriggs, has put her own money towards paying for the sweets with donations covering the cost of the rest.

Bishopbriggs dance group U Dance has donated bunny costumes for volunteers to wear to help promote the initiative.

The effort is part of the Bishopbriggs "rainbows group", initially set up to share pictures of painted rainbows put in people's windows.

The volunteers use hand sanitiser and latex gloves when dropping off eggs, and one of the group is a nursery teacher who offers further guidance on hygiene. Posts on the rainbow group's website encourage people to wipe down boxes.

Nicole said support for the project had been "crazy" and children have been asking for the "rainbow Easter bunny".

BBC Radio Scotland

Dr Sandesh Gulhane is taking calls on the health Q&A on Mornings with Kaye Adams. He explains the only way to get effective immunity across society is a vaccine.

We are still 12-18 months away from this though I've heard of promising things and good progress on testing, Dr Gulhane adds.

Image source, Scotland's War

She gave her life working on the front line of an epidemic that spread with such ferocity, it infected more than 1,500 people a day.

Louisa Jordan is one of Scotland's treasured nurses.

Her career was brief, cut short at age 36 - her final post was tending to wounded soldiers in Serbia in 1915, during the height of a typhus outbreak.

The people of Serbia gather each year to commemorate her courage and sacrifice, as well as that of her colleagues.

Now she will be honoured in her home city, as the temporary hospital being built at the SEC in Glasgow to help fight the coronavirus will be named NHS Louisa Jordan.

A similar facility in London has been named after Florence Nightingale.

Check out more of Louisa Jordan's inspirational story here.

And don't forget to applaud all our inspirational nurses, everyone working in the NHS and all carers at 8pm this evening.

Your clapping will be joined by the skirl of the pipes across Scotland as we also applaud all key workers including pharmacists, shop workers, delivery and postal staff, teachers, cleaners and refuse collectors!

Image source, Getty Images

As the initial shock of lockdown measures subsides, reality begins to set in - particularly for families affected by those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus.

Several restrictions have been placed on funerals to minimise further spread of the illness, which presents grieving families with a challenging new set of circumstances.

But what are the new restrictions and how do they affect loved ones?

BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, Radio 4/Dabster

Speaking on Mornings with Kaye Adams, Edinburgh resident and comedian Jojo Sutherland says she imagines the Fringe will go forward in some form.

She says if some pubs can open "you can bet your bottom dollar there will be shows being put on".

It will be less commercialised and go back to its roots of showcasing local talents she suggests.

What do you do if coronavirus temporarily stunts your burgeoning career?

There is a flood of information appearing across news channels and social media and it can be difficult to keep on top of the latest advice.

So here are our top tips of five places to go to answer your questions...

1. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing and stay at home advice.

2. Ready Scotland, external

Staying at home does not mean you are alone - there are many ways you can help your community.

3. Citizens Advice Scotland, external

Providing advice on benefits and employment rights.

4. Business Support, external

The latest advice and support for businesses.

5. Parent Club, external

Useful information on how to cope with home schooling and keeping your family safe.

The Dounreay nuclear power site near Thurso has donated 1,200 face masks, 200 protective suits and more than 10,000 pairs of gloves to NHS Highland in Caithness.

A small quantity of personal protective equipment has also been given to Thurso RNLI, and 120 bottles to Caithness Chemicals for filling with hand sanitiser.

The site has also given hi-viz waistcoats to a local supermarket for staff to use and donated £30,000 to the North Higland Initiative for community work supporting vulnerable people.

Angie Brown
Edinburgh and East reporter

A woman who has industrial sized bottles of sanitizer and packets of disposable gloves because she runs a catering business from her Edinburgh home has been donating them to passersby.

Wendy Paterson, 47, of Inside Out Chef, has set up a table in her garden and erected signs along her fence alerting people to the free products.

She said: “Our postman said it has really helped him recently as they have only been issued with one pair of gloves and they ripped in a letter box but now he’s able to come here every day for a new pair.

“My neighbours also have been coming for the gloves before they go to the supermarket.”

BBC Radio Scotland

One of this morning's topics on Radio Scotland's Mornings with Kaye Adams is how best to tackle coronavirus misinformation.

So how do you spot and stop fake news?

BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Acting Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day says yesterday's announcement does not mean the end of the Edinburgh festivals.

The Edinburgh Fringe and four other major cultural festivals in the city have been cancelled this year due to concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Kaye Adams, Cllr Day says the council is working with the Scottish government to get something happening this year.

This will most likely be small events but there will be some kind of offering to keep the city alive he adds.