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The first minister denies that Scotland needs a new approach when it comes to dealing with care homes.

In response to a question from Peter Smith of ITV, she acknowledges that "we are always learning as we go along" and "we continue to develop our strategy".

The impact of Covid-19 on care homes is a feature of the pandemic in all countries, she points out.

Simon Johnson from the Telegraph asks if Scotland is ahead of the UK in terms of care home deaths exceeding hospital deaths.

The first minister says Scotland's figures are more-up-to date and accurate, showing the true extent of care home deaths.

Tom Eden from PA asks if testing capacity is being fully used, to which the first minister reiterates the detail will be addressed on Friday.

Ms Sturgeon says the capacity for testing may well be in excess of the 3,500 target by Friday.

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Alan Smith from Bauer returns to care homes and says there are calls for all staff and residents to be tested where there has been a case of Covid-19.

Scottish Care, external, representing private care homes, is also calling for:

• a strategy to extend testing to care homes where there are no reported cases
• wants masks to be worn by all staff in care homes, and among those delivering home care.
• addressing of increased costs this will ensue

The first minister says the Scottish government is already moving to testing people without symptoms, although she says the tests will not be as reliable.

Ms Sturgeon says the next steps for testing in care homes will be set out in the next few days, probably on Friday.

"This is a collective endeavour," says the first minister when asked by STV's Ross Govans whether or not she will pledge more funding for the independent care home sector.

"Many of these homes are private businesses and have a responsibility to paying residents," she adds, while stressing that most of them will be doing just that.

She also says that the government is working closely with Scottish Care - which speaks for private providers in Scotland and adds that the health secretary is in weekly dialogue.

James Matthews from Sky asks if the true number of Covid-19 deaths in care homes is "well over 1,000".

No, says the first minister, who explains that the government is not working to figures from the care inspectorate

The NRS figures are "robust" because they are based on what a GP judges should be on a death certificate, she says.

A care home may think Covid is a factor, but that has to be confirmed by a GP, she adds.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announces a new scheme to provide death-in-service payments for NHS workers not currently eligible through existing pension schemes.

The comparable benefit will be available to all currently working within the NHS and provide the difference for anyone not entitled to receive the full payment, she confirms.

The principles of the scheme will be published on Friday.

Payments will be backdated if necessary, the health secretary adds.

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Fiona Walker from BBC Scotland asks if Scotland will be following in England's footsteps by extending the categories of those eligible for testing.

"We are looking at that," confirms the first minister, who says decisions will be made on that in "short order", probably Friday.

Ms Sturgeon says easing up on current restrictions would be felt negatively and very rapidly.

The restrictions slow the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and continue to save lives, she insists.

The first minister thanks the people of Scotland for sticking with them.

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Ms Sturgeon says this virus disproportionately affects the elderly with the vast majority of deaths in the over 65 age group.

However, anyone can get it and people from all age groups have died from it, so strict hand hygiene and social distancing remains the best way to protect our loved ones and communities, as well as ourselves, says the first minister.

She says there is a danger of feeling powerless in the face of the death toll, but everyone has power to protect ourselves, loved ones and communities.

"We are making progress," she says, calling on all of us to stick with the rules and guidelines, including the new ones on face coverings.

The first minister turns to excess deaths, with 743 last week, which is lower than in previous weeks.

The overwhelming number of excess deaths, 85%, are attributed to Covid-19, but 112 are not.

Those unexplained excess deaths are now lower but still a concern, she says.

"They are high, and far too high."

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The first minister says the proportion of deaths in care homes, "while deeply distressing, is broadly in line with other countries".

Ms Sturgeon says care homes have had strict guidance to follow since 13 March and care home providers must follow it.

She says patients being discharged from hospital should provide two negative tests before being admitted to hospital, while all new admissions should be tested and isolated for 14 days.

All residents with symptoms are tested, as are social care staff with symptoms and their families, she adds.

The first minister says appropriate provision of PPE is being provided.

She says the government will continue to take steps to ensure care homes are as safe as they can be.

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The first minister gives more detail on National Records of Scotland figures:

• 52% of those who died were in hospital
• 39% were in care homes
• 9% at home or in other setting

More than half of all Covid-19 deaths in last week were in care homes, she explains.

The deaths in hospital do now seem to be declining, adds the first minister.

The first minister reiterates her point that behind every statistic is an individual who was loved and cherished and will be deeply missed.

She thanks health and social care workers for the extraordinary work they do.

Ms Sturgeon points out the National Records of Scotland figures are published weekly and they capture all deaths for a seven-day period and include presumed deaths linked to the virus.

That is why the number of deaths is larger than the daily figure, she explains, but it is more comprehensive.

The first minister says by Sunday the total number of deaths was 2,272.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms that six members of NHS staff and five members of the social care workforce have died.

She also confirms that 11,034 people have tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 313 from yesterday.

1,727 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (down 27), with 114 being treated in intensive care (down 12).

2,521 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus.

A further 83 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,415 deaths in Scotland under that measure.

This is a lower figure that the 2,272 deaths confirmed by the NRS because it only covers cases confirmed by laboratory testing.

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Nicola Sturgeon will now lead the latest Scottish government coronavirus briefing.

Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland News website

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Twenty-four residents at the Erskine care homes for ex-servicemen and women are thought to have died from coronavirus, BBC News can reveal.

The charity said three residents died after becoming symptomatic and testing positive with Covid-19, but they believe another 21 residents who have died “perhaps have had Covid-19”, but “we have been unable to test them, as that facility has not been widely available until recent days”.

Meanwhile, over 200 staff members have had suspected coronavirus or have had suspected Covid-19 in their households, meaning they had to self-isolate. Four staff members have tested positive, with one requiring hospital treatment. Erskine have 770 staff in total.

Erskine cares for 339 residents in four care homes, with two in Bishopton in Renfrewshire, one in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh. The care homes were closed to families or visitors on 16 March and there have been “nothing but essential visits” since. None of the deaths occurred before this date.

During the pandemic, 90 residents have been ‘barrier nursed’ - people treated in isolation after showing symptoms. Forty-eight have since recovered, while 18 remain in isolation.