Summary

  • Education Secretary John Swinney has survived a no confidence motion which was brought following a row over the way grades were issued this year

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she has provisional figures indicating that the R number - the growth rate of the virus - has been above one

  • Although it is acknowledged that when virus prevalence is low the R rate is disproportionately affected by outbreaks

  • Ms Sturgeon's message comes as it is revealed that several different clusters have been identified - including in Orkney, Aberdeenshire and Glasgow

  • She said the clusters should not be alarming in themselves, but no one should be complacent at this time

  • There were 47 new positive cases in the last 24 hours with 26 found in Grampian and 10 in the greater Glasgow area. There were no new deaths from a positive test

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. New tool to allow care homes to spot Covid risks quicker

    Senior woman holding a walking stick - stock photoGetty Images

    A new tool is hoped to allow care homes to identify coronavirus risks more quickly.

    The Turas Care Management will allow all care homes to record information including Covid-19 infection rates, demand on services and staff testing in one place.

    It's hoped the system will allow officials to monitor trends, identify risks and take early action in future.

    Care Inspectorate Chief Executive Peter Macleod said he hoped the new approach would help homes better understand what support the sector needs.

  2. Requests for redundancy advice soar by 191%

    Money worriesGetty Images

    The Citizens Advice network in Scotland has reported a 191% increase in requests for redundancy advice since lockdown.

    The charity says 1,878 people made contact with his staff over redundancy matters between April and July.

    CAS is now calling on the chancellor to be flexible about winding down the furlough scheme and extend it for at risk sectors.

    Chief executive Derek Mitchell says: "It’s essential that governments and policy makers take the right steps to protect people from the economic storm ahead.

    "Our message to the people of Scotland is that we are here to help you through this crisis."

    Households across the country will be facing a financial cliff edge as furlough winds down in the autumn. We want to see flexibility from the chancellor so people aren’t pushed into unsustainable financial insecurity.

    Derek Mitchell, CAS chief executive

  3. 'Uncertainty for young people is definitely guaranteed'

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  4. Peterhead primary closes after Covid case

    NHS Grampian said it was working to identify close contacts of the individual at Peterhead Central.Google

    NHS Grampian said it was working to identify close contacts of the individual at Peterhead Central.

    An Aberdeenshire primary school has been closed after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

    NHS Grampian said it was working to identify close contacts of the individual at Peterhead Central.

    Aberdeenshire Council said a number of staff at the school were currently self isolating.

    The local authority said the closure of the school, which also has a nursery unit attached, was a "public health decision".

    A council spokeswoman said: "A number of staff from Peterhead Central primary school are currently self-isolating following the identification of a confirmed case of coronavirus within the school team.

    "Test and Protect procedures have been followed, and the school will be closed today. Parents have been advised."

  5. Worldwide coronavirus morning briefing

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  6. Nine people in Orkney suspected to have virus

    NHS Orkney's Interim Chief Executive Michael DicksonNHS Shetland

    NHS Orkney's Interim Chief Executive Michael Dickson

    NHS Orkney's Interim Chief Executive Michael Dickson says he is concerned that the virus is spreading rapidly through the community.

    The health authority is dealing with nine suspected cases of Covid-19.

    Mr Dickson says: "A group of people who have worked together, one of which has developed symptoms were in close contact.

    "We're talking a minimum of nine people, a number of which have already tested positive.

    "And the other factor is how distributed they are across Orkney and spreading across into the mainland as well.

    "It's not only a case of having this number of people who are symptomatic and some of whom may have tested positive, it's the distribution of them."

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  7. Lib Dem MSP highlights Orkney test booking line

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  8. Positive cases spreading 'rapidly' in Orkney

    Health authorities in Orkney say they are dealing with nine suspected cases of Covid-19.

    They said they were examining potential links with cases on the islands and an outbreak in Aberdeen in which 177 cases have so far been confirmed.

    NHS Orkney said those suspected of having the virus had all worked together.

    It comes after the health board issued a warning that coronavirus was spreading "rapidly" across the islands.

    A public health team is working to trace the close contacts of those involved.

  9. Statement on Peterhead Central Primary after case confirmed

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  10. Covid case connected to primary school in Peterhead

    NHS Grampian says it's investigating a detected case of Covid-19, connected with a primary school in Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

    It says it's health protection and Test and Protect teams are working hard to establish who the close contacts may be.

    Aberdeenshire Council says a number of staff from Peterhead Central Primary School are currently self-isolating, following the identification of a confirmed case of coronavirus within the school team.

    Pupils had not yet returned to the school due to the weather issues.

  11. Coronavirus in Scotland: The headlines

    Here are today's headlines:

    Some of the eight positive cases are pupils at Bannerman High SchoolGoogle

    Some of the eight positive cases are pupils at Bannerman High School

    • Nicola Sturgeon will update the media at the daily coronavirus briefing from 12.15pm today.
    • And this afternoon Education Secretary John Swinney faces a no-confidence motion over the exams controversy - but he's expected to survive the vote

  12. John Swinney faces no-confidence vote

    The education secretarySQA

    The education secretary is expected to survive this afternoon's vote of no confidence

    Education Secretary John Swinney faces a no-confidence motion at Holyrood later over the exams controversy but the vote is expected to be defeated.

    The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour and the Lib Dems want him to resign after thousands of teacher estimates were downgraded.

    But the Scottish Greens have said they will not support the motion, following a government U-turn.

    They said they were satisfied now that teacher estimates have been reinstated.

  13. Hello and welcome to live coronavirus updates

    Nicola Sturgeon is standing by John Swinney, who is both education secretary and deputy first ministerGetty Images

    Nicola Sturgeon is standing by John Swinney, who is both education secretary and deputy first minister

    We willl be bringing you news on how the pandemic is affecting Scotland throughout the day.