Coming up...published at 12:14 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
In the next few minutes, Nicola Sturgeon will lead the Covid-19 briefing with chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith.
Summary
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says that although cases are levelling off there is still a need for "care and caution" and there will be no "abrupt end" to restrictions
She also acknowledges that the pandemic is putting pressure on the country's hospitals
There are 2,802 newly confirmed cases (8% of all tests carried out). Positive hospital patients stand at 401 (a rise of 14) and 38 of those are in ICU (four more). Four further deaths are recorded
Scotland is due to move to level zero on 19 July, before dropping almost all restrictions on 9 August
Three hospitals have been placed on "code black" status, having reached full capacity due to a rise in Covid cases
Those who have received at least one vaccination now stands at 3.8 million. The number of fully vaccinated people is 2.8 million
Coming up...published at 12:14 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
Grant Shapps changes England's quarantine rulespublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
Image source, ReutersTransport Secretary Grant Shapps has this morning announced changes to quarantine rules for people arriving in England from other counties.
UK residents who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccine rollout will no longer have to self-isolate when they return to England.
They will still have to take a pre-departure test three days before they go and a PCR test on, or before, day two. He says this applies to people 14 days after their second jab.
But they will no longer be required to take a day eight test, meaning the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same.
Shapps added that children under the age of 18 returning from amber-list countries will not have to isolate on their return nor take a coronavirus test on day eight.
He said children between the ages of five and 10 will only have to take a day two test, and as before, children aged four and under are to be exempt from all testing and isolation requirements.
These rules apply to England. No changes have so far been announced for arrivals to Scotland.
Call to cancel operations to reduce NHS pressurepublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
Image source, Getty ImagesHealth boards should consider cancelling non-urgent procedures to reduce pressure on hospitals, a senior public health official has said.
Jillian Evans, the head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian, said it would "make sense" to defer some operations.
It comes after two hospitals reached full capacity in the north east.
NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Highland have also reported pressure on services in recent days.
Dates for lifting restrictions 'not set in stone'published at 12:00 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
Image source, PA MediaOn Wednesday, Nicola Sturgeon said the planned dates for easing Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland were "not set in stone".
The first minister said it would not be responsible to have a guaranteed timetable in the face of the virus, after another day of high case numbers.
Scotland is due to move to level zero on 19 July, before dropping almost all restrictions on 9 August.
However, Ms Sturgeon said she would look very carefully at the latest data before confirming this would happen.
Good afternoonpublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 8 July 2021
Image source, Getty ImagesGood afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic update from the first minister.
Nicola Sturgeon is due to begin at 12.15pm and will be accompanied by Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith.
You can watch the first minister's statement in full using the tabs above, following via the live stream or on the BBC Scotland programme.