Nicola Sturgeon begins her briefing by outlining the latest figures.

The first minister confirms that a further 685 people have tested positive for Covid-19, which is 3.8% of the tests carried out yesterday.

When the positivity rate is under 5%, the World Health Organisation classes the pandemic as being under control.

The total number of positive cases in Scotland is now 194,954.

There are 1,261 people in hospital, which is down 56.

There are 95 people in intensive care, down four from yesterday.

There have also been 57 more deaths registered in the past 24 hours of people who tested positive in the last 28 days. That brings the total number of deaths by that measure to 6,885.

Image source, PA Media

Nicola Sturgeon will lead today's Covid-19 briefing imminently, joined by chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen.

BBC One Scotland will expert analysis and political reaction to the briefing.

Meanwhile, you can watch all the journalists' questions on BBC Scotland.

We'll bring you the best of both here on the live page, so stay with us...

• The Scottish government is being urged to pursue a Covid "elimination" strategy by a citizens' panel
• The panel of 19 people was set up by MSPs to provide the public's view on Scotland's approach to tackling coronavirus
• It's calling for restrictions to be put in place to slowly work the number of cases to zero
• National clinical director Professor Jason Leitch says pursuing such a strategy would come at the cost of international travel and could lead to more isolation

Image source, PA Media

• From today any close contact of someone who's got coronavirus will now be asked to get tested - but must still self-isolate for 10 days regardless of the result
• There are calls from the BMA and politicians for key workers struggling with Long Covid to be compensated
• Record numbers have applied to study nursing at UK universities during the coronavirus pandemic
• Book festivals across Scotland have been busy drawing up plans to cope with an uncertain year ahead

Image source, Getty Images

From today, anyone who is identified as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive for coronavirus will be asked to get tested.

The measure is designed to find asymptomatic cases that would otherwise go undetected/.

The approach does not replace self-isolation in any way, and close contacts who test negative will still have to complete 10 days of self-isolation.

This due to the virus’ incubation period which means the risk of developing COVID-19 is only significantly reduced 10 days after exposure.

This means anyone leaving self-isolation early could still inadvertently infect others if they become positive at a later date.

Close contacts who test positive will be asked to self-isolate for a further 10 days from the time of their test result, to ensure they are no longer infectious when they leave self-isolation.

• How to self-isolate effectively – Information and support for people who are asked to self-isolate because of COVID-19, external

Image source, Getty Images

1. Scottish government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and cannot do, external

From Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a temporary lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home, external except for essential purposes.

• read a quick guide to what you can and cannot do: stay at home infographic, external

2. Postcode checker, external for COVID restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland

3. NHS Inform, external

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

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.

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

5. Vaccines

What should you do if you have concerns about your vaccination appointment:

• Call your GP
• Call the helpline: 0800 030 8013
• As a last resort Nicola Sturgeon has reiterated you could e-mail her team at firstminister@gov.scot
• If you need to rebook an appointment check out the details in your vaccination letter or go to NHS Inform, external

Image source, Scottish government

Welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic this Thursday 18 February 2021.

You can follow the latest developments right here and watch and listen live by clicking on one of the tabs above - for coverage on BBC One Scotland, the BBC Scotland channel and Radio Scotland.

You'll get opposition party political guests as well as expert analysis on BBC One Scotland.

Meanwhile if you want to watch the whole briefing BBC Scotland is the channel for you.