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There are around 180,000 people shielding in Scotland because they're considered to be more at risk form the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon says the infection rate now is much lower than in March, when the shielding advice started more than 20% of the tests were positive with 150 cases a day being reported. That went up to more than 300.

"Today of course I have reported 16 new cases and that is 0.4% of people testing newly positive."

She explains some further key changes to shielding advice will take place from tomorrow.

The first minister says all of the changes can be found on the route map for shielding, external.

287 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (down eight), with two being treated in intensive care (down one).

No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of people who tested positive, meaning the total remains at 2,491.

This means no deaths have been reported under this measurement during the entirety of last week, the first minister explains.

There has been just one death reported over the past 15 days.

Nicola Sturgeon confirms 18,500 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 16 from yesterday.

The first minister explains that increase is 0.4% of people who were newly tested yesterday.

The health board breakdown will be available at the Scottish government website from 2pm, external, but the provisional information shows four of the new cases are in Lanarkshire.

She confirms that there are a total of 24 positive Covid cases associated with the Sitel call centre outbreak, an increase of four from yesterday.

That includes 17 people employed at the site and seven contacts.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an update for people who are shielding shortly - join us for extensive coverage of the briefing from 12.15pm.

The first minister can expect questions from journalists on the union and indeed independence, as the prime minister is visiting Scotland.

Boris Johnson has insisted his government's response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union.

Now as we've been reporting Boris Johnson has arrived in Orkney.

The prime minister has insisted his government's response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union.

He said troops had done "vital work" to support the NHS during the pandemic and praised Treasury job retention schemes.

But the SNP said the visit showed Mr Johnson was "in a panic" about rising support for Scottish independence.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she had no plans to meet Mr Johnson, but that she would continue work with his government on the "immediate priority" of tackling coronavirus.

• What's Boris Johnson worried about in Scotland?

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The education secretary will give a virtual statement to MSPs on progress towards the aim of opening up full-time with no social distancing between pupils from the 11th of August.

John Swinney could give more information on guidance on how schools can operate safely during his statement which begins at 2pm.

The guidance won't officially be published until next week and will be based on scientific advice which says the risk for younger children is low, but that it's less clear for over-16s.

It also advised the wearing of face masks for teachers where they can't socially distance and extra hygiene measures and cleaning in school buildings.

It's likely that extra funding will be made available to councils to cover the costs of re-opening in this way.

It will be next Thursday before we get a final decision on whether the government thinks it's safe enough to sign off on this plan.

• 'No physical distancing' needed for school pupils

Mornings with Jackie Brambles
BBC Radio Scotland

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Despite only being established last October, the Kindness Homeless Street Team has had a huge impact on the lives of rough sleepers in Glasgow, helping 50-60 into their own accommodation during the coronavirus crisis.

The work of founder Laura McSorley, whose team provides meals, clothing, furniture and other essential items to people in need, has recently been recognised by the Prime Minister's office., external

While other organisations decided they could no longer operate on the streets at the start of lockdown, Ms McSorley decided her team, which she started in October, would continue to provide support.

The first few weeks were "really challenging", she told BBC Radio Scotland.

"It was desperation," she said. "At first they didn’t think we would come back so there was a fight for food and clothing. But once they knew we were going to become a regular thing, they became far more approachable and relaxed in the environment, and relationships have blossomed."

With the help of 50-60 volunteers, including 22 chefs who helped out while their restaurants were closed, the team now run a seven-day operation.

"It has been absolutely outstanding," she added. "A whole host of lovely people have really stepped up. We have made some lifelong friends."

A rise in support for Scottish independence and approval of Nicola Sturgeon lead the prime minister north.

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We expect Nicola Sturgeon to provide an update for Scots who are shielding due to Cornavirus at today's Scottish government briefing from 12.15pm,

The first minister hopes to end the practise entirely for those thought to be more at risk late next week, but a further easing of restrictions is expected in advance of this.

There are around 180,000 people shielding in Scotland because they're considered to be more at risk form the virus.

The Scottish government's routemap for this group aims to allow them to meet people indoors, use indoor shops and go on public transport from tomorrow.

We're likely to hear from the first minister today if this will all go ahead.

She hopes to be able to remove any requirement for shielding from the 31st of July.

We'll hear more about that next week

• Here's details of the last easing of shielding restrictions
• Shielding extended until 31 July
• 'People shielding too scared to leave home'
• Who should be shielding?

If you're just joining us here's what's dominating the headlines today:

• The prime minister is visiting Scotland to argue his government's response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union.

• Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an update for people who are shielding - join us for extensive coverage of the briefing from 12.15pm

Image source, AFP

• 2pm: In a virtual statement this afternoon, the Education Secretary John Swinney will provide details on the progress made towards opening schools full-time from 11 August, with no social distancing between pupils.
• The government will also give a virtual update on childcare this afternoon

Helen Catt
Political correspondent

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It will have been pretty obvious to the man who appointed himself Minister for the Union that he has spent many months at a podium outlining laws that only apply directly in England.

Despite Downing Street's insistence that the coronavirus strategy has been for the whole of the UK, it's in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast where the rules which have most closely affected the day-to-day lives of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been set.

Worryingly for Boris Johnson, it seems many of them liked what they saw; recent polls have suggested rising support for independence in Scotland.

There is another challenge looming for Boris Johnson too.

His government was elected on the promise of Brexit and talking the language of being an independent nation.

As we approach the end of the transition period, it's likely we'll hear even more about the benefits of going your own way.

So how does he convince those who want that for Scotland that it wouldn't be a good idea for them?

Today's visit feels like the first step in what could be a long - and vital - campaign for a Prime Minister that wants to keep the UK as one.

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The Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are to receive £100m in government investment.

The Scottish and UK governments are to each to provide up to £50m in investment as part of the Islands Growth Deal.

Tourism, infrastructure, innovation, energy and skills will be targeted for funding.

The Scottish government investment will be made over a period of 10 years and the UK government's over 15.

• Read more here
• National plan for helping Scotland's islands
• 'Revival' of islands populations
• 'Historic' islands bill passed by MSPs

Mornings with Jackie Brambles
BBC Radio Scotland

The idea that Nicola Sturgeon is "giving a daily party political broadcast" at her coronavirus briefings "comes across as sour grapes", Shona Craven, a columnist for The National newspaper, tells BBC Radio Scotland.

In a sense people are "paying her a compliment" for "getting on with the day job and doing it well", Ms Craven believes.

In response to accusations that Scotland would have struggled without UK government intervention, Ms Craven thinks an independent Scotland would have coped by having its own power over issues like the furlough scheme and closing borders to visitors from abroad.

Scotland has "done well compared to the UK as a whole", Ms Craven believes, but "could have done better if certain decision-making powers had been with the Scottish government, rather than the UK".

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

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Some are suggesting this is a visit born of panic. I don’t buy that - but it’s born of anxiety, absolutely no question.

The phrase that’s being used is one of love-bombing the Scots, but it seems more like saturation-bombing because it will be an exercise in power today.

A reminder to the people of Scotland as to what Mr Johnson would see as the clout, the power, the abilities that are brought by the Treasury. In this case, he will also be mentioning the military – the power of the armed forces to help tackle this coronavirus crisis.

The Scottish Tories did seem to be playing down the impact of Boris Johnson – certainly under their previous leader Ruth Davidson. They are not doing so now.

He is the prime minister. He is leading the UK endeavours on coronavirus and they are advancing him in those roles. But it doesn’t mean that he is now instantly popular in Scotland.

Image source, PA Media

The UK government's failure to plan for the economic impact of a pandemic is "astonishing", a committee of MPs says.

The Commons Public Accounts Committee said the economic reaction to Covid-19 was rushed and the impact could be "long-term".

It added the Treasury waited until mid-March before deciding on the economic support schemes it would put in place.

But the government said it regularly tested its pandemic plans, which enabled a "rapid" response.

Last month, official figures showed that the UK economy shrank more than first thought between January and March, contracting 2.2% in the joint largest fall since 1979.

• Read more here
• UK economy hit by worst contraction in 41 years
• PM pledges 'new deal' to build post-coronavirus

Mornings with Jackie Brambles
BBC Radio Scotland

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Andrew Poulson, Conservative leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, says Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Scotland today shows that "the broad shoulders of the United Kingdom" are helping all parts of the country tackle the coronavirus crisis.

Citing the 900,000 jobs in Scotland protected through the furlough scheme, and the £50m provided as part of the Islands Growth Deal announced today, Mr Poulson hailed the economic response from Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

"It has helped Scotland, knowing we would not have been able to do it had we been on our own," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

Questioned why support for Scottish independence has apparently grown during the pandemic, according to recent polls, Mr Poulson believes "local leadership" gets more support during crisis situations.

"We have seen that with the New York mayor and other areas," he added. "It is all very well being a local leader, but someone at the head of a country has to make decisions."

The death toll in care homes is the "biggest single failure of devolved government since the start of the Scottish Parliament", he added.