Covid in Scotland: First Minister's Questions

Summary

Nicola Sturgeon tells MSPs ahead of FMQs that three people who had tested positive for coronavirus have died within the last 24 hours
New positive cases stand at 668, with 244 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area; 166 in Lothian and 123 in Lanarkshire
There are currently 154 patients in hospital with coronavirus with 17 of those in ICU
Ms Sturgeon told the Holyrood chamber that here will be no changes to the current restrictions
Scottish Conservative MSP Ruth Davidson quizzes the first minister about the Salmond inquiry

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

Three people have died with Covid-19 in last 24 hourspublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Breaking
The first minister confirms a further three people who tested positive for the virus have died in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 2,522 deaths in Scotland by that measure.
There are also 154 patients in hospital with a confirmed case of Covid-19 (up 15), with 17 being treated in intensive care (up 2) on yesterday.
In a further sign the virus is accelerating across Scotland, the first minister points out the number of people in hospital has gone up by 70 in the past week.
FM confirms 668 new cases of Covid-19published at 12:21 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Nicola Sturgeon confirms a further 668 people have tested positive for Covid-19, 10.8% of those newly tested yesterday.
This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 29,912.
Health board breakdown:
Ms Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as follows:
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: 244
- NHS Lothian: 166
- NHS Lanarkshire: 123
The remaining are spread across Scotland's other health boards.
FMQs begins shortly...published at 12:16 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Image source, Scottish Parliament
Before FMQs gets under way Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The three-weekly review of coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will be announced by the first minister ahead of first minister's questions.
With a sharp rise in cases no changes are expected.
The first minister yesterday spoke of the virus "getting out of control" after seven more deaths were registered - the highest daily total since June.
The Scottish government has said it's even considering the possibility of a so-called "circuit breaker" lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Your questions answered on the current restrictionspublished at 12:10 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
You should not share a car with someone you don't live with
Last week tighter coronavirus restrictions were reintroduced in Scotland.
The new rules, external mean that you must not make indoor social visits to other households. Pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm.
Scotland is in Phase 3 of the route map, external for moving out of lockdown.
We asked what questions you wanted answered about the changes.
More than 1,600 of you have sent in a question about the new rules.
Click here for the answers to some of those asked most frequently from the Scottish government.
What can we expect from today's review of lockdown measures?published at 12:07 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
The Scottish government is required, by law, to review lockdown measures every three weeks.
At the last review on the 10th of September, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country would remain in Phase 3 of the routemap out of lockdown.
But since then, there's been a sharp rise in positive cases - and far from any prospect of a further loosening of the restrictions, in recent weeks new curbs have been imposed on hospitality and household visits.
The Scottish government has said it's even considering the possibility of a so-called "circuit breaker" lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Covid-19 in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Here are the headlines from around Scotland:
- A "circuit-breaker" lockdown is being seriously considered according to Scotland's national clinical director
- Eight people have been found dead at a hotel in Glasgow used to shelter homeless people during the pandemic
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Hundreds of homeless people in Glasgow and Edinburgh were placed in hotels when lockdown began
- A student has told the BBC that international students are being forgotten in the Covid crisis engulfing Scotland's universities
- Seven more deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 were recorded in Scotland yesterday - the highest daily total since 17 June
'Circuit breaker' being seriously considered for Scotlandpublished at 11:46 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Image caption,
The "stay at home" message could make a comeback if Scotland is put into a temporary lockdown
A so-called "circuit-breaker" lockdown is being seriously considered for Scotland, national clinical director Jason Leitch has confirmed.
The Scottish government adviser has told the BBC the idea is being actively considered, but "not yet".
Prof Leitch said the introduction of severe restrictions would be short-term pain for long-term gain.
On Thursday, Scotland recorded 640 cases and seven deaths - its highest number of fatalities since June.
The Scottish government has stressed that no decisions have been made.
Read more here.
Good afternoonpublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 1 October 2020
Image source, PA
Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live page coverage of first minister's questions.
Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic when she gets to her feet at Holyrood from 12.20pm.
The three-weekly review of coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will be announced by Nicola Sturgeon ahead of first minister's questions.
With a sharp rise in cases no changes are expected.