First Minister expects coronavirus to keep declining in Scotland

The first minister says she expects coronavirus to continue its decline in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon has revealed the reproduction rate, otherwise known as the R number, was estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, as of last Friday.

That represents a decrease from between 0.7 and 0.9.

In order for the Covid-19 infection rate to drop, the R number must be below one.

Ms Sturgeon said at today's Scottish Government briefing she wants to be able to announce a further easing of lockdown restrictions next Thursday.

She said: "We need to celebrate the progress, but continue to be careful and cautious.

"A week today, we will have a further review of the lockdown restrictions.

"I am currently very hopeful that at that point, we will be able to lift some further restrictions."

Scotland is currently in phase one of easing lockdown.

The introduction of a second phase could mean being able to meet another household indoors, with some retail units able to reopen with physical distancing in place - though the Scottish Government says measures can change depending on the science.