The total number of people who have died with confirmed or suspected cases of the virus has risen to 2,795, according to the National Records of Scotland.

These figures include all cases where the virus is mentioned on a death certificate as a potential cause, and provides a wider picture than the figures announced each day by the first minister, which only cover cases confirmed by laboratory testing.

Between 27 April to 3 May, 523 deaths relating to Covid-19 were registered, a decrease of 135 from the previous week.

More than half of all deaths - 59% - occurred in care homes, although the actual number of deaths in care homes is down from the previous week.

Image source, Getty Images

NRS figures for deaths linked to Covid-19 will be published at midday.

There will be a focus on the number of deaths in care homes -- which accounted for half of the fatalities in the last full week of counting.

The weekly total includes deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate and runs up until last Sunday.

It's a different, more comprehensive figure from the one we hear at the first minister's daily briefing -- which are lab confirmed deaths.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Image source, Getty Images

Bruce Cartwright, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland, says 16 May is the day when larger employers will have to make clear if they’ll make workers redundant. That’s if the furlough scheme ends, as it is currently scheduled to do, at the end of June.

Employers of between 20 and 99 workers would have to start that redundancy consultation on 31 May, as they have to give 30 days notice instead of 45.

Mr Cartwright has written to the Scotland secretary, urging the UK government to make the scheme more flexible - allowing furloughed workers to contribute some work, and to retain in areas and in sectors where cash flow problems will persist.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said on Monday that he waslooking at options for the furlough scheme after the end of June, indicating that it will continue in some form to avoid a sudden jolt for bosses and employees who have been relying on it.

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to announce his plans to ease lockdown and restart the economy on Sunday.

But what will everyday life be like?

One of the first things many people will be desperate to know is whether they can visit friends and family again while others will want to get out to the High Street for some retail therapy.

Here are some thoughts on what the "new normal" might look like.

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• 12pm: NRS weekly statistics are published, including deaths where Covid-19 was only suspected
• 12pm: PMQs: Boris Johnson faces Keir Starmer for the first time and it’s the prime minister’s first taste of a virtual PMQs: Follow updates here
• 12.30pm: FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement before taking questions from opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs
• 5pm: UK government coronavirus briefing

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

To parents who are now having to home school, John Swinney says: "Try your best, but do not think you are supposed to be full time teachers."

He says families are facing multiple pressures and parents should not burden themselves with the idea they should be replicating the full school day.

Asked about teaching more practical and creative subjects at home, the education secretary admits the Swinney household has been participating in a daily PE class with Joe Wicks - though he was excused this morning to attend the committee.

He highlights some schools are working to ensure support is available for these subjects, such as the delivery of materials for home economics.

We will not return to the pre-Covid model of schooling for some time, he says.

Here's where to find the latest advice in Scotland...

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.

6. Clear Your Head, external

Scottish government advice on how to improve our mental health at this difficult time.

7. Coronavirus (COVID-19): public use of face coverings, external

The Scottish government advises face coverings should be used in supermarkets and on public transport.

8. Helpline for those at high risk of coronavirus: 0800 111 4000: 9am to 5pm

Image source, NorthLink

NorthLink has seen passenger ferry numbers between the Northern Isles and the Scottish mainland fall 96% on the same period last year.

The company said figures for 22 March to 30 April were 2,025 - in comparison to 33,005 over the same period in 2019.

Vehicles were recorded at 798 - a reduction from 8,516 (91% down).

However freight volume for essential supplies outward exports was less harder hit, down 21%.

Image source, bbc

A fourth person has died at care home at the centre of a Covid-19 outbreak on Skye.

There are currently 57 residents and staff at Home Farm in Portree who have tested positive for the infection.

The home is run by HC-One which has said it is "doing everything" it can to keep residents and staff safe.

There have also been 10 deaths due to an outbreak at the firm's Mugdock House home in Bearsden in East Dunbartonshire.

Read more here.

The Scottish government is calling for public engagement on how best to ease the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

People can put forward their ideas and engage with the issues, evidence and analysis at this digital platform. www.ideas.gov.scot/covid-19-a-framework-for-decision-making, external

Image source, bbc

Nicola Sturgeon revealed yesterday a return to school might not be possible at all this side of the summer holidays.

The first minister was setting out options for lifting the coronavirus lockdown, external - including ways that schools could eventually start to reopen.

The Scottish government is considering whether some groups of students could retrun ahead of others:

• such as vulnerable children
• children who are making the transition from primary to secondary school,
• or who are studying for national qualifications

Image source, Getty Images

There will be a focus on the number of deaths in care homes -- which accounted for half of the fatalities in the last full week of counting.

The weekly total includes deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate and runs up until last Sunday.

It's a different, more comprehensive figure from the one we hear at the first minister's daily briefing -- which are lab confirmed deaths.

Up until Sunday 26 April - 2,272 deaths involving the virus were recorded.

These NRS statistics are due out at 12pm today and we'll bring you analysis of them when they are published.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

John Swinney says around 1,400 vulnerable children attended an education hub yesterday, while around 1% of the school population have been at a hub on a daily basis.

The education secretary says there is the capacity to accommodate more but the stay at home message has been effective.

Children's Commissioner Bruce Adamson has previously expressed concern about the relatively low numbers of vulnerable children attending hubs.

Mr Swinney says he would be keen to encourage more to get support, but he accepts some parents are hesitant to send their children out.

He says professionals in local authorities are making some contact with individual families and 150,000 free school meals have been delivered.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, bbc/Scottish Parliament

As Education Secretary John Swinney begins his virtual evidence session with MSPs, Keir Bloomer, an independent education consultant, tells Kaye: "I think it's probably unrealistic to open schools with social distancing still in place."

Mr Bloomer says it would reduce the overall capacity in the school and create tensions and uncontrollable disciplinary problems.

The expert says: "So that's why I'm in favour of schools opening at the earliest point where it is deemed to be safe to do so, I think that has to be after social distancing has been largely or fully relaxed. It could be quite some months and the consequences of that could be quite significant."

He points out the disadvantaged will lose out in terms of education disproportionately, with schools not likely to return for five months.

Image source, Getty Images

More than 200 offshore workers have been flown ashore due to coronavirus fears since the UK went into lockdown, it has been revealed.

Figures from industry body Oil and Gas UK showed that, up to Sunday, 206 people were flown home on separate flights to regular services.

However OGUK said it was encouraged that the numbers had reduced from 56 in the week ending 5 April to 20 last week, while stressing the need to "remain alert".

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Education Secretary John Swinney confirms children and staff will be supported to return to school in a phased way.

An 'Education Recovery Group' has been set up to consider how schools will reopen once the decision to do so is taken by ministers, he explains.

We are working with councils to ensure vulnerable children, including those from low income households, have access to the tools they need to continue learning at this time he says.

Mr Swinney announces an extra £75m in research funding will be provided to universities this year.

He emphasises the importance of sufficient funding for colleges and universities and says further discussions are being had with the UK government on this matter.