The first minister gives an update on the number of people considered to be at the highest risk of contracting coronavirus in Scotland, and therefore in need of "shielding".

She says a rough estimate had previously put the figure at 200,000, but she can now say with more confidence that the figure is approximately 120,000.

Ms Sturgeon reports that the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Catherine Calderwood, has now sent 110,000 letters to people in these groups, and the rest will arrive shortly.

She adds that more than 8,000 people in the high-risk category have already signed up to a text message service which offers support with access to home deliveries, which started this morning.

The first minister urges everyone who receives a letter to register for the service, even if they don't currently require help.

The Scottish government has established a testing oversight group, Ms Sturgeon says, including the Chief Scientist for Health, Prof David Crossman,

The group has been tasked with overseeing:

1. an increase of NHS lab capacity to deliver non-NHS testing
2. development of antibody testing so that as soon as a test is available, they can be deployed in Scotland
3. surveillance, epidemiology and prioritisation for testing around an eventual strategy to exit lockdown measures

Ms Sturgeon says the new Covid-19 testing facility at Glasgow University will allow Scotland to increase its testing capacity in proportion with the rest of the UK.

The Scottish government is also contemplating plans around antibody testing too, but the first minister cautioned against expectations that such a scheme could start anytime soon.

"That kind of test doesn't currently exist," she said. "We hope it will do soon, but the fact is that might still be some time away."

The first minister addresses the issue of testing for coronavirus in Scotland, following Health Secretary Matt Hancock's pledge to test 100,000 people per day by the end of April.

"What we are doing here will take Scotland to the same sort of position that the UK seems to be aiming for," she says.

"We are increasing NHS Scotland's current capacity of 1,900 tests per day up to 3,500 per day by the end of this month at the latest."

Ms Sturgeon says that target is broadly similar, or "slightly more ambitious" than the current UK pillar one target of 25,000 tests per day.

Ms Sturgeon says that as well as NHS and care workers, she wants to "particularly acknowledge" people working in the food and drink and essential retail sectors.

"This is not an easy time at all to work in agriculture, food manufacturing, distribution, shops or supermarkets," she says, but wants to give her "heartfelt thanks" for the "essential work" being done in these areas.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opens her media briefing by confirming that 3,001 people have tested positive in Scotland, up 399 from yesterday.

176 people are in intensive care, a rise of 14, and there are 1,321 hospital patients with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

A further 46 people have died with coronavirus in Scotland, taking the total to 172, she says.

Staff at Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire have received a phone call from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to thank them for their efforts in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak.

It came on Wednesday so the doctors and nurses at first thought it was an April Fools prank.

During the call, Prince William said: "You guys are doing an incredible job and the whole country is proud of you, and we thank you for all the hours that you are putting in."

Donna Marie McGroarty, infectious diseases charge nurse, said: “It has been a tough time for all our staff.

"The telephone call from The Duke and Duchess was totally unexpected and a real morale boost.”

Image source, AFP

First minister Nicola Sturgeon will update the media at 12:30 pm on the latest coronavirus developments in Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon will reveal the latest statistics from the outbreak across the country.

On Thursday there were 2,602 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland, although the actual number is likely to be well over 100,000.

Yesterday it was confirmed 126 people had died with Covid-19 in Scotland, while 1,282 hospital patients have confirmed or suspected Covid-19, with 162 in intensive care.

Watch the media conference live on the BBC Scotland channel or here with us via the link above.

Angie Brown
BBC Scotland news reporter

Image source, Jen Hardy

The gatherings and celebrations planned for milestone birthdays have been cancelled across the country as people follow the guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus.

But some have been finding other ways to make their landmark days special despite the lockdown.

When Jen Hardy was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer three years ago, she didn't know if she would see her daughter Carys turn 21 or celebrate her own 25th wedding anniversary.

Now those landmark dates have come around - only for her plans to be scuppered by coronavirus.

But the 52-year-old, from Edinburgh, says she is happy she is still around to celebrate.

Read more here.

Prince Charles, speaking from his Scottish home, Birkhall, in Aberdeenshire, paid tribute to staff as he opened the hospital via video link.

Police have again appealed for information after a youth coughed on a local healthcare worker in Banchory last Friday and told her she would get coronavirus.

The woman was driving along the unclassified road from Inchmarlo Golf Course to Brathens Wood when she was flagged down.

The youth was described as being aged between 13 and 16, slim, about 5ft 6in tall with a local accent. He was wearing a light grey hoodie, a black jacket and dark joggers.

Sgt Garry Garrow said: “This was more than just a prank. It left the woman distressed and fearful."

Image source, NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Rainbow drawings have become a popular symbol of support and solidarity with the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.

However, staff arriving at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary were greeted by the real thing earlier this week.

It followed the placing of a rainbow sign at the entrance to DGRI by a well-wisher last week.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway said the support was "very much appreciated".

Image source, NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Image source, PA

Stagecoach says its coaches will continue to operate within Scotland.

The Perth-based transport group is suspending its Megabus services in England and Wales by Sunday.

Megabus says a number of customers use their services within Scotland to travel to and from essential work, such as NHS workers.

The company has reached an agreement with the Scottish government to continue running those services.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government has ordered councils to continue giving free school meals during the Easter holidays to the thousands of pupils who qualify.

Almost 38% of Scotland's school children are entitled to free school meals. Every pupil in Primaries 1 to 3 automatically get them but there are an additional 83,000 young people who come from families with difficult financial circumstances.

The Scottish government say this provision must continue during the Easter break.

Th help can include cash payments or food parcels being delivered.

Councils have to decide how it's delivered.

In Glasgow 32,000 pre-paid cards for the supermarket Farmfoods have been issued - £20 is uploaded every two weeks per pupil.

Image source, Kids Operating Room

Scottish charity Kids Operating Room has donated 10 specialist machines and monitors to treat patients seriously ill with Covid-19.

The equipment will allow NHS Tayside to open 10 more intensive care beds at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to help tackle the pandemic.

The charity will also donate 16 patient monitors and pulse/oxygen monitors for use anywhere in Scotland.

It said the total value of the donated equipment was more than £400,000.

Western Isles ports have been closed to non-essential vessels, says local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Ports are open to lifeline ferry services, fishing industry and fish farm boats as.well as vessels seeking emergency refuge, supply ships and emergency craft.

Aluminium made at the Lochaber Smelter has been used for making oxygen bottles for the NHS.

The contract was among work that has kept the site near Fort William open.

Brian King, of owners Liberty British Aluminium, said measures had been taken to protect staff.

He said shift patterns had been staggered and extra canteen facilities added to help with social distancing.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland's top football clubs could miss out on European competition next season unless they can complete the current domestic campaign.

Leagues across Europe have been told that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.

A letter sent by Uefa states that a plan is being formulated to complete current campaigns across the continent in July and August.

Both Uefa club competitions, currently at the last 16, would also then resume.

Read the full story here.