Ms Sturgeon reiterates the key messages of the government’s FACTS campaign:

• Face coverings in enclosed spaces
• Avoid crowded places
• Clean hands and surfaces regularly
• Two-metre distancing; and
• Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

Image source, Getty Images

Back to results, Nicola Sturgeon points to the free appeal service being run by the SQA this year should anyone wish to have their results reconsidered.

She also highlights the exam advice helpline on 0345 279 1000 or the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000.

We are determined to do everything we can to support young people as they think about their future, she adds.

The first minister highlights that the daily statistics she announces provide a picture of what happened in communities two or three weeks ago.

She says the government is looking to move to a form of modelling to help provide earlier warning signs of increasing risk.

A Scottish version of a UK-wide survey to track the virus is to be launched, she announces. This will ask questions on topics such as contacts, travel and face mask use.

The UK-wide survey includes "very few" people in Scotland, so a Scottish version will produce more relevant results for the modelling work, Ms Sturgeon explains.

3,000 people will be required to take part, with initial invites going out to people who have already been involved in population surveys. However, she calls for other volunteers to get in touch too. Information will be published on the Scottish government website later today.

Turning to the Aberdeen cluster, Ms Sturgeon says she expects the number of associated cases to rise. The number currently stands at 27.

120 contacts have been traced from those positive cases, she adds.

The first minister reiterates the need to self-isolate for 14 days if you are contacted by the contact tracing team, even if you return a negative test result.

It is entirely possible you have the virus in your system but it does not show up on a test, she explains.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there have been 23 additional positive coronavirus cases in Scotland, which accounts for 0.9% of people newly tested.

That takes the overall number of positive cases to 18,717.

Provisional information is that 15 of the 23 new cases are in the Grampian health board area, but the first minister can't yet say if some or all of these are linked to the outbreak in Aberdeen, where there is a cluster of 27 cases.

270 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case, which is five more than yesterday, with four being treated in intensive care - up one.

No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of people who tested positive - for the 19th day in a row - meaning the total by that measure remains at 2,491.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon begins by addressing those receiving results today: "I hope you got what you were hoping for.

"But if you didn't, it's really important to remember that there are lots of options open to you."

She adds: "You all deserve enormous credit for your patience, for the sacrifices you've made and all the hard work you've put in.

"Well done to all of you."

The Scottish government's briefing on the coronavirus response is coming up at 12:15.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by Education Secretary John Swinney, following the release of qualification results today.

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith will also answer questions at the briefing.

Dr Hill, an education psychologist, says parents should celebrate their children's efforts regardless of their results today.

"An end grade doesn’t define an individual for the work and effort they’ve put in," she tells BBC Scotland. "It’s about development and not just an attainment grade."

Parents should give children time and space to react in whichever way they choose, whether it is verbally, by their behaviour, or more therapeutic methods like art, dance and music.

Avoid saying things like ‘Don’t worry’ or ‘I’m sure you did fine’, Dr Hill suggests.

"That can make a child feel like they’re not being heard. We want them to feel heard and respected and validated with their views and how they feel."

"Exam results don't define you" - wise words from 18-year-old boxer Rhys McCole who is now working as a business apprentice.

We'll be sharing more results day memories throughout the day.

Chris Littlejohn, deputy director of Public Health at NHS Grampian, has said the Covid cluster in Aberdeen is a reminder that the virus "is still out there - even when it looks like it has gone".

The number of confirmed cases linked to the Hawthorn bar rose to 27 yesterday, with more than 120 people contacted in connection with the localised outbreak.

Scottish Labour education spokesperson Iain Gray says too many pupils have been "hit hard" by the SQA’s “moderation” approach to estimated grades.

"Too many have seen their results lowered, often with passes turned into fails, damaging their prospects for university or college," he says.

“Worst of all, the SQA have done this on the basis of each school’s past performance, marking the school not the pupil, and baking in the attainment gap. They were told that this would be grossly unfair and it is. The SQA have also treated teachers’ professional judgement with contempt."

Mr Gray predicts the SQA will be "deluged with appeals" as a result of the process.

“The education secretary was repeatedly warned about all this, but, as usual, has chosen to sit back and watch it happen with our young people paying the price,” he adds.

Mornings with Stephen Jardine
BBC Radio Scotland

What should pupils do if they don't get the results they want today, particularly in their favourite subjects?

Sarah, a caller to Mornings with Stephen Jardine, tells BBC Radio Scotland that "exams are incredibly serious but you shouldn’t take them so seriously".

She explains she did her Highers "a long time ago" and didn't do very well, particularly in Art and Design, which she loved the most.

"I based all my choices around that exam, the fact the exam board hadn’t seen what I hoped was in me, this real hunger for art, and I went down a different route," she said.

Sarah believes she would have led a more fulfilling life if she had pursued that first love.

"If someone is looking at their results and thinking ‘I love doing that, but it’s not what I wanted’, I'd say 'don’t focus on the result, focus on your love and passion for your subject and pursue it regardless’."

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she "won't hesitate" to reintroduce lockdown restrictions if Covid-19 starts to get "out of control".

It comes as the number of people linked to a coronavirus cluster at the Hawthorn Bar in Aberdeen has risen to 27 cases.

Chris Littlejohn, NHS Grampian's deputy director of public health, says it is not yet known whether anyone "let their guard down" in terms of social distancing and personal hygiene measures.

He told the Good Morning Scotland programme: "The infection came into the bar from outside. All the appropriate measures were in place in the bar, so there is no pointing fingers.

"In terms of the 27, what we do know is that there has been subsequent spread within households and people have passed it on to their family members."

Mornings with Stephen Jardine
BBC Radio Scotland

Tony, a teacher in East Kilbride, says pupils should not assume they are receiving grades their teacher has given them.

"That’s not actually the case; they’re receiving the grades the SQA has given them. I have a number of pupils who are sitting with a grade that I have not estimated," he tells BBC Radio Scotland.

Tony says he made his estimates based on preliminary exams, classroom tests through the year, 'half-assessments' and an assignment, where "you could see the effort and work they were doing", which was factored into the overall decision.

He is "75-80%" confident in the process, but would like to know how the SQA have down-graded students "without the information I have".

"It could be those students maybe only got Cs at National 5 and the SQA think a B at Higher is a bit ambitious. But I have seen students come to me with Cs at Nat 5 and get an A at Higher.

"Some students just tune into a teacher, they suddenly get the motivation to do something, especially after the prelim. Some might get a tutor, for example. Loads of pupils will do better after the prelim."

As pupils across Scotland find out their exam results, five young people offer some advice.

Pass rates for English and Maths at National 5 level increased slightly on last year.

In English, 87.6% of students achieved an A-C grade. In 2019 that pass rate was 83.6%.

While in Maths, 66.7% of entries resulted in an A-C grade (up from 65.5% in 2019).

Mornings with Stephen Jardine
BBC Radio Scotland

Katrina Tweedie has two sons, Cameron and Harry, waiting for results today. Neither of them signed up for text alerts, so it's a matter of waiting for the post for them.

"The fact that I'm the one sitting here barbed with nerves and they are in bed tells me a lot," Karen jokes.

Image source, Getty Images

While Harry already has an unconditional offer, Cameron needs a few Highers to go into Golf.

Karen says his dyslexia mean his prelims were an "abysmal affair" and is worried about what today will bring.

"If he was getting marked on effort and behaviour at school, there would be no problem at all, but academically it really is a challenge. He may not get what he wants."

Karen found home schooling particularly difficult because she was having to teach the two older boys as well as a primary school aged son.

"I'm desperate for my boys to get back to school - they learnt nothing here," she says.

The Skills Development Scotland, external agency runs an exam results helpline for pupils looking for advice.

Spokesperson James Russell told Good Morning Scotland they encourage pupils not to worry if they don't get the grades they had hoped for as "there is always a way to work through what options are there".

"Our advisers ask, have their results prevented them from moving into an area that they wanted to and then start to explore alternative pathways - whether that is apprenticeships or straight into employment."

Students find out their grades in Nationals, Highers and Advanced Higher courses.