The first minister points out the R number is lower than it was two weeks ago and she expects the virus to continue to decline.

Ms Sturgeon says it is estimated that as of last Friday, 4,500 people in Scotland had the virus and were infectious.

The previous estimate had been 11,500.

She says that may sound like a very big decline, but this is partly due to reassessing previous estimates and the initial 11,500 figure was an overestimate.

She does warn the estimates don't yet take account of the phase one changes to lockdown and the number of infectious people is still large enough to allow the virus to take off.

The first minister starts with today's report on the R number, which shows the rate at which the virus is reproducing.

Ms Sturgeon says: "We estimate that the R number in Scotland, as of last Friday 5 June, was between 0.6 and 0.8."

You can find further details just published by the Scottish government here, external.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms 15,682 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

909 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (down 78), with 21 being treated in intensive care (up three, though all suspected).

3,858 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus since 5 March.

A further five people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 2,439 deaths in Scotland by that measure.

Nicola Sturgeon will lead the Scottish government's coronavirus daily briefing from 12.30pm today.

As ever you can watch and listen with us here on the live page.

The first minister will be joined by:

• Health Secretary Jeane Freeman
• Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith

Today's briefing is expected to feature an update on the R number in Scotland

If R or the reproductive number is above one, an outbreak can grow exponentially.

Better news if it's below one.

In Scotland the number currently stands between 0.7 and 0.9.

Given the time lag in calculation, it's not yet expected to take in the easing of lockdown measures almost two weeks ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Latest figures from the UK government show that 628,200 people in Scotland are on the Job Retention Scheme.

The scheme currently provides employers with financial support up to 80% of salary, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month per employee.

The figures for Scotland compare with 6,445,800 furloughed workers in England, 316,500 in Wales and 211,700 in Northern Ireland.

Read the full breakdown here, external.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Image source, Getty Images

Over £4bn has been spent by the Scottish government on its Covid-19 response to date, the permanent secretary confirms.

Leslie Evans adds that "considerably more" will be spent going forward, both to maintain what has been put in place now and to respond to the damage as we emerge from the crisis.

She highlights the government's summer budget review estimated £3.5bn of additional spend came from UK government consequentials, though Gordon Wales confirms this has now been increased to £3.791bn after clarifications on spending commitments.

The figures are moving on a daily basis, the chief financial officer adds.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dentists are preparing for a return to work in phase two of the Scottish government's route map out of lockdown, with the next policy review due in seven days.

There is a three-stage plan, explains Dr Ambi Jeybalen to BBC Radio Scotland listeners, while stressing that emergency treatment is currently available at regional hubs.

When phase two gets the go-ahead, practices will open for face-to-face consultation for patients in need of urgent care that can be provided without aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), such as the dreaded drill.

This service will then be expanded for patients who can be seen for routine care, again without using AGPs, although much will depend on the supply of appropriate PPE.

However, AGP work will be undertaken at the emergency hubs by this stage.

Phase three of the route map should allow for a "limited introduction" of AGPs within practices.

The Covid-19 pandemic risks setting the effort to get more mothers into the workplace back by 20 years, the head of a leading women's rights charity has warned.

Women are often forced to choose between flexibility and job security in a bid to meet their caring responsibilities, making them "dispensable", the Fawcett Society's chief executive, Sam Smethers, said.

Image source, Getty Images

Ms Smethers added: "If you look back at the last 20 years the big increases in labour market participation have been amongst mothers and single parents in particular.

"What we are seeing now is that that trend is reversed, so unless we correct that, unless we get it back on track, we will literally have a significant step backwards."

Research by PwC published last month suggested 78% of those who have already lost their jobs as a result of the virus are women.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

The public audit committee is taking evidence on the government's governance and assurance arrangements during Covid-19.

The Scottish government's permanent secretary says the pandemic has posed the biggest challenge the civil service has ever seen and she is "proud" of the fast-paced response.

Leslie Evans confirms the next programme for government 2021 - the government's agenda for the year - will set out priorities in the context of recovery from the virus, particularly the economic response.

Chief financial officer Gordon Wales adds every organisation, including the Scottish government, that uses PPE will be learning lessons on procurement to ensure resilience if such an event were to happen again.

Image source, SNS

Scottish Premiership footballers are returning to training after a 90-day break.

But only two clubs, Celtic and Ross County, are back today and it is not training as players and staff normally know it, with social distancing and other rules in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Read on for more on how it will all work.

Image source, Multiplatform Productions, Scotland/BBC Scotland

The Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival has announced its initial line up for next year.

This year's festival was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Acts confirmed so far for next August's festival include Nile Rodgers and Chic, Emeli Sande, Van Morrison, The Frattellis and Tide Lines.

Bella, which is held on the Belldrum Estate near Beauly, usually draws a crowd of 22,000 people over its three days.

1. Coronavirus (COVID-) Phase 1: staying at home and away from others (physical distancing), external

This is the guidance for the first phase of easing the lockdown. We are still currently in phase one.

2. Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making - Scotland's route map through and out of the crisis, external

This includes the crucial four phase approach to easing out of lockdown.

2. Test and Protect, external

If you have Covid-19 symptoms, book a test immediately via NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816.

3. NHS Inform, external

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

4. Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts, external

5. Support for those at high COVID-19 risk, external

6. Clear Your Head, external

Mental health support and advice for these worrying and uncertain times.

Image source, PA Media

Scotland's most famous porridge party is going virtual due to the pandemic.

The 27th Annual World Porridge Making Championship, which should have taken place in the highland village of Carrbridge on Saturday 10 October - World Porridge Day - will now take place online.

Organisers are determined to keep the pot boiling, so an online recipe competition will happen instead, with the best entrant videos being published on the Golden Spurtle website

Competitors are being asked to submit a video of themselves making their favourite sweet or savoury dish containing oatmeal.

The Golden Spurtle awards will be replaced by 10 ‘Virtual Spurtle’ winners.

MPs will get the chance this afternoon to quiz Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and Scotland's Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch this afternoon.

Here's the full Covid-19 political agenda for today:

• 11am: HOLYROOD: The Public Audit and Post Legislative Scrutiny Committee will take evidence on the Scottish government’s response to Covid-19 focusing on governance and assurance arrangements

• 12.30pm: Scottish government coronavirus daily briefing

• 2.00pm: HOLYROOD: Portfolio Questions (Virtual): Rural Economy and Tourism; Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity; Justice and the Law Officers

• 3.20 pm:Topical Questions (further to the technical issues experienced on Tuesday)
• 2.00pm – 4.30pm: WESTMINSTER: Scottish Affairs Committee: MPs take evidence from Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and Professor Jason Leitch
• 5pm: UK government daily briefing

Image source, Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund

Runners, walkers and cyclists are being invited to take part in a colourful event next week in aid of children’s charities.

Lockdown To Troon will support the Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund, external and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, external.

The fundraiser has been held every year since 1945 but the Covid-19 restrictions mean the 75th celebration will be a virtual one.

More than 300 children would normally go on the day trip but organisers are bidding to ensure they don't completely miss out.

Anyone doing their daily exercise is being invited to participate, with or without fancy dress, using #LockdownToTroon.