There is much to be optimistic about, insists the first minister.

Ms Sturgeon says new cases are increasing at a much faster rate than hospital admissions.

She adds there is now evidence that the people requiring treatment are younger than before.

This may mean fewer of those admitted to hospital needing treatment in ICUs.

Hospital occupancy is only double what it was at the start of May, suggesting people are spending less time in hospital and are getting discharged earlier.

How do I arrange a Covid test?published at 14:45 British Summer Time 15 June 2021

14:45 BST 15 June 2021

Question from J in Dunfermline

Image source, Getty Images

If you have any Covid symptoms, you need to book a test to establish whether or not you have the virus.

To do this, you can:

• use this self-help guide: access to testing for coronavirus, external on NHS Inform to help you select the right test
• book a PCR test to check if you have coronavirus, external on gov.uk
• if you live in Highland, Orkney, Shetland, or the Western Isles, you can book a test via your health board website
• call 119, external
• book a priority symptomatic test slot if you are a key worker, external through the essential worker portal, external on gov.uk

You can choose whether to attend one of the testing sites in Scotland or have a home-testing kit delivered to you.

Lateral flow tests

Separately to this, anyone can now order regular rapid lateral flow tests to do at home. , external

About one in three people with Covid do not have symptoms but can still infect others.

These rapid tests can be taken every few days to check whether you have the virus.

If those who test positive self-isolate, it will help to stop the virus from spreading.

Ms Sturgeon says the early data is encouraging, but further analysis is needed to understand the Delta variant.

The first minister says a study published by Edinburgh University yesterday was "instructive".

It suggested that the Delta variant is associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation - but on the other hand, it shows double vaccination provides a high level of protection.

There is extremely strong protection now with two doses of vaccine, the FM says.

Image source, Getty Images

The faster-transmitted Delta variant is now common across Scotland, explains Ms Sturgeon.

The Delta variant accounts for the overwhelming majority of new cases.

The first minister warns we should never be complacent about a rising curve of infections, particularly with long Covid possible.

However, she hopes vaccination is increasingly protecting people against this virus, which will allow Scotland to cope with it in a less restrictive way.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says it is unlikely that any changes to the current levels will be announced next week.

Instead, it is likely restrictions will be kept for a further three weeks from 28 June.

She says that time would be used to vaccinate - with both doses - as many more people as possible.

"Doing that will give us the best chance, later in July, of getting back on track and restoring the much greater normality that we all crave," she adds.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister stresses that cases continue to rise at an increasing rate.

Ms Sturgeon says cases have risen by more than one fifth in the last week and are now more than five times higher than the situation in early May.

Nicola Sturgeon begins: "I want to confirm that there will be no changes this week to the Covid levels of protection that currently apply to different parts of the country."

The first minister adds she will also look ahead to the more substantive three-weekly review that she will set out to parliament a next Tuesday.

The has been scheduled ahead of 28 June, when the next change and a move to level zero for the whole country was expected to take place.

Image source, Reuters

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is about to give a statement to MSPs about the current coronavirus situation in Scotland.

This is a little later than billed due to topical questions being a bit longer than usual.

You can watch it by clicking on the tab above, or alternatively listen on BBC Radio Scotland.

Image source, Getty Images

Clinical trials have begun in Glasgow to see which Covid vaccine works best as a third "booster" jab.

The Cov-Boost study, external will give people a third dose of a vaccine to see whether it offers extra protection against the virus.

Researchers say that while the vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe disease, the emergence of new variants makes booster shots likely.

Doctors are now looking to recruit people aged over 70.

They have already recruited volunteers over 30 who have had two doses of a vaccine.

Read more here

As of 11 June, Dundee had the highest Covid case rate in Scotland, recording almost 295 weekly cases per 100,000 people - a rate not seen in the area since January when Scotland was in full lockdown.

South Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Clackmannanshire, Glasgow, Perth and Kinross and Angus all have rates of more than 150 cases per 100,000, the threshold for level three.

In fact, only 10 Scottish councils would currently qualify to be in level two or lower, going by case rates alone.

Click here to find out more.

As of 07:30 today, 3,531,461 people had received their first dose of the vaccine.

Overall, a total of 2,470,181 people have received second doses.

However, numbers are suspected to be slightly underestimated due to an IT issue.

The daily coronavirus figures show a further 974 people have tested positive for Covid-19, which is 5% of the tests carried out yesterday.

The total number of positive cases in Scotland is now 248,515.

There are 137 people in hospital and 17 people in intensive care.

There have been two more deaths registered in the past 24 hours of people who tested positive in the last 28 days.

That means the total number of deaths by that measure is 7,683.

The first minister is expected to begin her coronavirus update from around 14:20.

First though here's today's topical questions for ministers:

• Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane will ask, in light of the disturbing events at Euro 2020 with Christian Eriksen experiencing a cardiac arrest on the pitch, whether it will consider subsidising automated external defibrillator purchases for amateur sports grounds.
• Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks the government for it's response is to a recent survey, which records more than 2,000 incidents of racism have been reported in schools over the last three years.
• Labour MSP Paul Sweeney asks for a response to the allegation made by Jim McColl in The Herald on Sunday, external that £25 million of public money was wasted on the "forced" nationalisation of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.

Image source, Getty Images

Covid cases are rising rapidly in Scotland, with eight council areas now above the Scottish government's level four threshold.

The number of Covid patients in Scottish hospitals is also increasing - particularly in the worst-hit health boards.

There are early indications the vaccination programme may have reduced the number of people needing hospital treatment, but public health experts say the dominance of the Delta strain is causing a "complicated" picture to emerge.

What do we know about hospital admissions in the health boards most affected by the recent rise in cases?

• Click here to find out more
• When will we know if vaccination is working?

• What level is your area in?
• What Covid rules are changing, and when?

• Nicola Sturgeon will shortly outline the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic
• The first minister is expected to announce some delay to the plans to drop Scotland's Covid restriction level to zero by the end of the month
• Eight council areas are now above the Scottish government's level four threshold, according to official data

Image source, Getty Images

• A further 14 are also within the level three range when looking at the weekly Covid cases per 100,000 - a key measure for Scotland's Covid levels system
• Yet most of Scotland is in levels one or two, with islands in level zero
• Meanwhile, Boris Johnson says he is determined the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England will be lifted on 19 July, which would be a delay of a month

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic update from the first minister, on 15 June 2021.

We should find out later if Nicola Sturgeon plans to delay dropping Scotland's Covid restriction level to zero at the end of June.

Last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that current measures in England would be extended by a month, due to concerns about the impact of the Delta variant -- which was first identified in India.

It's very likely there will also be a delay here in Scotland.