Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham confirms the new climate change plan will be published at the end of April.

In summer a heat decarbonisation statement will be published while a land use conference will also go ahead, she adds.

Scotland's climate week will take place between 14 and 20 September, Ms Cunningham says.

The first climate citizens assembly will meet for the first time in autumn she adds.

Moving onto COP26, the climate change secretary says cost estimates will be refined once the UK has provided information on planning assumptions.

She highlights the Scottish Police Authority has also revised estimates to £180m as a result of new info.

Regarding coronavirus, Ms Cunningham confirms planning will continue on the assumption COP26 will still take place in Scotland.

She says she will inform the Scottish Parliament of any substantial change to this assumption.

NEWS SUMMARY:

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has told MSPs that as of 9am this morning there are now 27 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland.

This is an increase of four since yesterday.

Ms Freeman says all the patients have a relevant travel history or had contact with known cases and so far there's been no evidence of community transmission.

19 of Scotland's cases are from travel and eight from personal contact.

Ms Freeman says the temporary registration of student nurses and student doctors is being considered

Alex Cole-Hamilton says coronavirus seems to affect older people disproportionately in terms of prevalence and severity.

The Lib Dem MSP adds many older people live alone and asks what provision is being made to help them if they become more isolated due to the virus.

The health secretary concurs those most at risk are in their 70s and 80s and those with vulnerabilities with their health, particularly if they are immunosuppressed.

As we move into the delay phase those conditions will be set out clearly as well as what they are being asked to do she adds.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone raises the impact of self-isolation for those on insecure contracts.

What assurance can the cabinet secretary provide that those on zero-hours contract will not face not being paid, she asks.

Ms Freeman confirms discussions are ongoing with the DWP, with specific reference to universal credit and how it can be altered to ensure individuals are not forced to choose between health and income.

In addition Scotland's social security secretary has given active thought to benefits we are responsible for to better support those on insecure contracts, she adds.

Monica Lennon raises concerns about testing for the virus and asks when people can be expect to be tested for Covid-19.

The Labour MSP asks for more detail about the scaling up NHS 24 and about the needs of those with substance abuse issues, who might be homeless and might struggle to self-isolate.

The health secretary says in terms of testing for the virus, it is a clinical decision.

Ms Freeman adds testing is widely available where it is required, saying Glasgow and Edinburgh have testing centres, with Tayside is ready to step in if needed.

She says NHS 24 is available for people to talk over there symptoms with a clinician and cites the new general advice helpline: 0800 028 2816

Additional staff are being recruited for NHS 24, she adds.

The health secretary explains work is going on to look at helping vulnerable groups and the public health minister held a meeting this morning about how to reach out to those groups.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about progress to increase bed capacity in hospitals across Scotland.

He also wonders about any concerns raised by NHS staff or trade unions on equipment.

Ms Freeman says work is ongoing regarding bed capacity and all NHS boards are involved with this.

There will be a need for additional equipment, she says, with expenditure having been authorised.

This is a UK-wide issue so we are looking to address it on a UK-wide basis, she adds.

The health secretary says an annual NHS event will be postponed to prevent adding extra demand on hard working staff.

She praises all NHS staff and the public for their efforts to help protect all of us.

"This has to be a societal response."

The health secretary pledges to update the chamber on the outbreak as much as possible.

The health secretary says while for the vast majority this will be a virus with mild symptoms, for many it will be a serious illness which is potentially life threatening.

Any decisions we take will be backed by evidence and clearly explained to this chamber and to the general public, she says.

Ms Freeman says conversations are underway about allowing students close to finishing training in nursing and medicine to be registered temporarily, which will increase NHS capacity.

She confirms £1.24m will be put towards ensuring video consultations can be used as this will be essential to reduce face to face contact.

Our goal is to protect life, not least those of the most vulnerable in our society, Ms Freeman says.

The health secretary accepts people will be looking to other countries and questioning why measures being taken there are not being taken here.

She adds: "No measure has been ruled out and the actions we take may be developed over time."

Timing is critical she says, adding if measures are implemented too soon we will not have impact we need and if too late we will not reduce demand to the level required.

Continuing with simple measures like hand washing and sneeze protections will help save lives, the health secretary adds.

Ms Freeman says all cases identified have a relevant travel history or are infections through contact with known cases.

We are carrying out enhanced surveillance in the community, in intensive care units and in hospitals but no cases have been found by these measures she says.

There has been no evidence of community transmission, the health secretary confirms.

We - like England, Wales and Northern Ireland - remain in the containment phases but we do expect to move relatively soon so the delay phase when there are cases of community transmission, she confirms.

Image source, bbc

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says as of 9am this morning there are now 27 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland, an increase of four since yesterday.

Scotland's national clinical director has advised against the public taking panic measures to cope with the arrival of coronavirus.

Prof Jason Leitch advised against stockpiling items like soap and urged anyone with chronic health conditions to "behave sensibly and normally".

He appeared on BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday as travel restrictions came into effect across Italy.

Prof Leitch said current advice was not to ban public gatherings in the UK.

• Read more
• Mild symptoms could lead to self-isolation
• How to stay safe
• Should I self-isolate and how do I do it?

Image source, NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will now update MSPs on the latest on coronavirus.

Mr Briggs says Mr Houston has said there was a worrying picture of toxic culture, overseen by the health secretary, that NHS Lothian was treated with "utter contempt".

The health secretary reiterates that on 3 July the chief executive of NHS Lothian sent an e-mail detailing four options, with its preference being option four which was rephasing.

Ms Freeman adds she did not consider that was the best option and called a halt to the move to Sick Kids'.

The health secretary insists she is the least likely person to oversee a toxic culture and she refutes Mr Houston's accusations absolutely.

Mr Briggs asks if it is true when Mr Houston says he would have been fired had he not resigned.

She says she does not accept there is a dysfunctional relationship between the Scottish government and health boards.

The health secretary says Mr Houston said he would resign and she did not use the powers she has to dismiss him.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says she fundamentally disagrees with Mr Houston's reported assertions and accusations.

Ms Freeman says on Thursday 4 July she ordered a complete halt to the transfer to the new hospital until she could be sure the safety standards were met.

She says the preferred option of NHS Lothian was to rephase occupation over the following weeks and months.

Ms Freeman adds such an option would not have been feasible or safe.