Summary

  • The first minister says the R-number - an indicator of the infection rate - "is hovering around 1" which she believes shows the current restrictions appear to be having an effect

  • There were 1,216 new cases (7.6% of all tests) in the past 24 hours - 481 were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde; 236 in Lanarkshire and 128 in Lothian. Thirty-nine new deaths have been registered

  • Both Labour and Conservative politicians press the first minister about what her government is doing to get Scotland's NHS through the winter

  • In Scotland's hospitals there are 1,252 Covid-positive patients - down five on yesterday - and 95 people are in ICU, which is one more

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme until the end of March, 2021

  • Nicola Sturgeon had called for clarity on the furlough rules which had been extended through November to cover the current four-week lockdown in England

  • At the moment restrictions in Scotland are not as tough as they are over the border

  1. WATCH: Davidson highlights concerns about Glasgow Royal Infirmarypublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

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  2. Sunak to extend furlough scheme to end of Marchpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Rishi SunakImage source, EPA

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that he will extend the furlough scheme until the end of March.

    Mr Sunak said the scheme will pay up to 80% of a person's wage up to £2,500 a month.

    He told the Commons that the government will review the policy in January.

    It follows several days of wrangling over the scope and duration of furlough. It was due to end on 31 October but has been extended to cover the new four-week lockdown in England.

    Read more here.

  3. Davidson raises issue of hospital capacitypublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

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    Ruth Davidson quotes Prof Jackie Taylor who this week warned Scotland's NHS is "facing a perfect storm".

  4. WATCH: Sunak extends furlough schemepublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

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  5. Furlough goes on to end of Marchpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

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  6. Covid in Scotland: NHS staff 'facing perfect storm'published at 12:32 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Media caption,

    Leading physician says health boards need to 'flex non-urgent work'

    Scotland's NHS is "facing a perfect storm" as staff shortages and a lack of hospital beds hamper efforts to tackle rising numbers of coronavirus cases, according to a leading physician.

    Prof Jackie Taylor said a "coherent strategy" for testing staff and all hospital patients was needed.

    She also called for more flexibility for under-pressure services to be able to reduce non-urgent procedures.

    The Scottish government said plans were in place to deal with peak demand.

    Prof Taylor, who is president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, told BBC Scotland there needed to be "an open and transparent conversation about prioritisation of work" as winter approached.

  7. FM calls on people to abide by the rulespublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    The first minister say she wants to see a reduction in the number of cases as we move into winter.

    Ms Sturgeon appeals to people to follow the rules:

    1. COVID-19 protection levels: a new five-level system has been introduced to help tackle the spread of the virus. Find out more: protection levels, external.

    2. COVID protection levels: a system of local protection levels is in place. Check the protection level for your area, external and find out what you can and cannot do under each level.

    3. Download the Protect Scotland app, external from NHS Scotland

    FACTSImage source, Scottish government

    4. Test and Protect, external

    If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

    5. NHS Inform, external

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

    6. BBC Scotland articles:

  8. R number 'hovering around one'published at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    The first minister expects the latest publication of the R number will show it hovering around one.

    That is clearly progress on the last couple of weeks, explains Ms Sturgeon who points out we must continue to exercise caution around this.

    It suggests the tough measures in place are starting to have an effect, she adds.

  9. FM says 39 further deaths with Covid-19published at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020
    Breaking

    1,252 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (down five), with 95 being treated in intensive care (up one).

    There have been a further 39 deaths registered in the preceding 24 hours of people who had the virus, taking the total to 2,966 deaths in Scotland by that measure.

  10. 1,216 people test positive for Covid in last 24 hourspublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020
    Breaking

    Nicola Sturgeon confirms a further 1,216 people have tested positive for Covid-19. That is 7.6% of total number of tests carried out.

    This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 69,660.

    Health board breakdown:

    Ms Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as follows:

    • NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: 481
    • NHS Lanarkshire: 236
    • NHS Lothian: 128
    • NHS Tayside: 80
    • NHS Ayrshire and Arran: 80

    The remaining are spread across the other health boards.

  11. First minister's questions is next...published at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    First Minister Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA Media

    Nicola Sturgeon will now update MSPs on the Covid-19 pandemic ahead of first minister's questions.

    How to watch and listen:

    • BBC One Scotland will have the main part of first minister's questions
    • Meanwhile, if you prefer, you can watch the whole of FMQs on the BBC Scotland Channel
    • Or you can listen to the briefing on Lunchtime Live on BBC Radio Scotland

    All three are available here by clicking on the play icons above.

  12. Protect Scotland app compatible with English and Welsh apppublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Protect Scotland AppImage source, Getty Images

    People who have downloaded the Protect Scotland app will now be able to continue using it if they travel to England and Wales, as well as Gibraltar.

    Scotland has developed its own ‘federated server’ which allows for all proximity apps within the UK, Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar to work with each other for the first time.

    From today, the second phase of this interoperability means that Protect Scotland will continue working when people are required to travel for essential reasons to England, Wales and Gibraltar.

    This follows on from interoperability being achieved with apps in Northern Ireland and Jersey on 28 October, with the next phase for Scotland being consideration of interoperability with other similar apps from other countries and regions.

    Those who have downloaded Protect Scotland do not need to do anything for this to work, they simply need to keep the app active while in England, Wales or Gibraltar.

    Their phone will be able to connect to the relevant apps in those places and continue to alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Likewise, if users of Protect Scotland test positive in Scotland, any users of the English and Welsh NHS COVID-19 app or the Beat COVID Gibraltar app who have been in close proximity will receive a notification.

    For more information visit protect.scot, external.

  13. Will furlough be extended until spring?published at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to say more about support for jobsImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to say more about support for jobs

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak is about to make a statement in the Commons on economic support for businesses and individuals.

    The chancellor is set to extend furlough until March, sources have told the BBC.

    The full details will be unveiled in a statement in the Commons shortly.

    It's not clear if it will be the full 80% rate currently available.

    You can follow his statement live here.

  14. Covid in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 12:00 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Media caption,

    Covid in Scotland: Travel fines being considered

    • In the last week there have been 167 deaths linked to Covid-19 - the highest figure since last May
    • There were 1,433 new Covid cases and 50 deaths with the virus in the preceding 24 hours
    • Nicola Sturgeon says she hopes the furlough scheme will be available in Scotland at its current levels if stronger restrictions are required in the future
    • The first minister wants to see an end to the "current confusion and lack of clarity" from the Treasury on furlough
    • Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross insists the prime minister has not budged from his commitment to make the furlough scheme available in full, if Scotland goes into another lockdown
    • Scotland's chief fire officer urges people to "be kind, smart and safe" with fireworks and ahead of Bonfire Night
    • An increase in unofficial firework displays during the Covid pandemic could heap more pressure on fire crews, the fire service has warned
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  15. Covid in Scotland: Restrictions, guidance and advicepublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    1. COVID-19 protection levels: a new 5-level system has been introduced to help tackle the spread of the virus. Find out more: protection levels, external.

    2. COVID protection levels: a system of local protection levels is in place. Check the protection level for your area, external and find out what you can and cannot do under each level.

    3. Download the Protect Scotland app, external from NHS Scotland

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    4. Test and Protect, external

    If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

    5. NHS Inform, external

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

    6. Clear Your Head, external

    It's ok to not feel yourself right now, here's some great tips to help people through the pandemic

    7. BBC Scotland articles:

  16. Good morningpublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA Media

    Good morning and welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland on Thursday 5 November 2020.

    Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs on the pandemic ahead of first minister's questions.

    How to watch and listen:

    • BBC One Scotland will have the main part of first minister's questions
    • Meanwhile, if you prefer, you can watch the whole of FMQs on the BBC Scotland Channel
    • Or you can listen to the briefing on Lunchtime Live on BBC Radio Scotland

    All three are available here by clicking on the play icons above.