The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28
49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 on the death certificate since Friday
The first minister will update MSPs tomorrow on the Covid alert levels for each council area in Scotland
Ross: Restrictions should be reduced only if virus rate drops
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Douglas Ross says he would like to see
restrictions reduced at the weekly review on Tuesday, but “only if the science
ensures that we have got on top of the virus” and people will not contract it and need hospital care.
He says following the news about vaccines we
can “look forward with hope to the spring and an opportunity to get away from these
tough restrictions that are affecting our daily lives”.
Will carol singing be allowed this year? 'Probably not'
Mass testing is an 'important tool', says Douglas Ross
BBCCopyright: BBC
Douglas Ross, who is leader of the
Scottish Conservatives, tells BBC One Scotland's Coronavirus Update programme
that the mass testing programme being piloted this week is an important tool
to get on top of the virus.
“There are still far too many people being infected by
Covid-19 and sadly far too many in Scotland and across the country still losing
their lives as a result of the virus,” he says.
Background: What are lateral flow tests?
BBCCopyright: BBC
Aberdeen University are hoping to test about 8,000 students over the next 10 daysImage caption: Aberdeen University are hoping to test about 8,000 students over the next 10 days
They are rapid turnaround tests, where samples are processed on-site with no lab required and results are available in under half an hour.
They have allowed the introduction of mass testing but they are not as accurate as the PCR tests that are carried out at NHS test centres.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told parliament last week that the lateral flow tests had an overall sensitivity of 76.8% - meaning the test will identify more than seven in 10 positive cases of Covid.
Students are encouraged to take two tests to increase the chances of the virus being picked up.
Lateral flow tests 'not a panacea but can help', says academic
Prof Sian Griffiths says it is perfectly reasonable to try mass testing in Scotland as there will be an evaluation of the lateral flow tests.
The academic says testing is part of what is necessary and the other rules must also continue to be observed.
She argues the test is not a panacea, but that it's another tool that can be used.
A PCR test follows if you have a positive result from the lateral flow test.
'We need to ensure that the numbers continue to go down'
BBCCopyright: BBC
Professor Sian Griffiths, who is Emeritus Professor of Public Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, tells BBC Scotland the number of positive cases is falling across the UK.
"Numbers do appear to be going down, which means the greater restrictions of lockdown in the different countries have had an impact.
"But obviously with Christmas coming up we need to ensure that the numbers continue to go down."
Prof Griffiths points out the best advice is to keep stricter restrictions for longer and bring the R number down further.
There is more optimistic vaccine news today with Moderna being submitted to the regulators, she adds.
Scotland ready to vaccinate 'as soon as possible'
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Health
Secretary Jeane Freeman says the full vaccination programme will start as soon as they have enough supplies to do so.
She
says “we are ready to go as soon as those approvals come through”.
Any
dates are “entirely speculative”, she adds, but once the independent decisions
on the vaccines are ready they will make sure the public know in what order the
adult population will be vaccinated, and why that order is the one Scotland will
follow.
Are there concerns about running of Dovecot Court care home in Peebles?
BBC ScotlandCopyright: BBC Scotland
A total of 28 staff and tenants have tested positive at Dovecot CourtImage caption: A total of 28 staff and tenants have tested positive at Dovecot Court
The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28.
The first minister is asked if she thinks there is a potential problem with the running of the home by the Scottish Borders Council's arms-length company SB Cares.
Ms Sturgeon says she can't give a definitive answer to that, but says the government looks carefully at all outbreaks.
The Care Inspectorate has the responsibility for monitoring standards in care homes, she explains.
Professor Leitch says 94 staff and residents have been tested and visiting has had to be pulled back except for essential visits.
Trying to find a provider to blame is not very helpful he says, adding the government will try and help get the care home become Covid-free as fast as it can.
Student testing not compulsory
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Nicola
Sturgeon is asked why testing is not compulsory for all students wanting to go
home for Christmas.
The first minister says there are ethical issues about
forcing anyone to take any test, but the strong advice is for students to get
tested twice before travelling home.
National clinical director, Prof Jason Leitch, adds they think the best thing is to educate students about why it is important to get tested.
FM urges people to follow guidance and rules
Scottish governmentCopyright: Scottish government
Ms Sturgeon closes by highlighting the other guidance and advice that remains so crucial.
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice
Lateral flow tests an 'important building block'
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
BBC
Scotland’s Andrew Kerr asks whether the government was concerned about the
accuracy of the new lateral flow tests, and whether they could offer false
assurance.
Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland's clinical director, says the lateral flow test is “one of the building blocks” to help track the disease.
He says one of the toughest things with Covid-19 is the long
incubation period, which can be up to 10 days after infection, and no test
detects it until the virus starts shedding.
He explains that the lateral flow tests are not as effective as the lab-analysed PCR tests, but participants are tested more than once and PCR tests are used to check all positive results to reduce the
risk of false positives.
BreakingEligibility for self-isolation support grant to be widened
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The first minister turns to the eligibility for the self-isolation support grant of £500.
Ms Sturgeon explains that from next Monday 7 December, the range of people who can claim will be widened.
After 7 December, people will be able to claim the grant if one of their children has to self-isolate.
After that date you will also be eligible even if you don't get Universal Credit but your local authority thinks you would qualify if you applied for it, helping more people to get the grant.
The firsts minister says these changes are important because self-isolating is so important.
If you have symptoms of Covid, you should self-isolate immediately and get tested.
Sturgeon calls on people to come forward for asymptomatic testing
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The first minister points out that this mass testing does not mean people who test negative should stop the other safety measures, as the virus could be incubating.
Ms Sturgeon also points out you could pick up the virus after having a test.
She hopes that identifying more people who are positive will help arrest the spreading of the virus.
She encourages people who live in the five areas to come forward for testing.
If you have the symptoms of Covid, you should come forward for testing.
FM outlines expansion of testing in Scotland
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Ms Sturgeon turns to the further expansion of testing in Scotland.
Mass testing programmes for Covid-19 are under way in a bid to drive down infection rates before Christmas.
The first minister says she will update parliament tomorrow on the levels of restriction which will apply in different local authority areas.
Ms Sturgeon says the government is considering any changes to Covid alert levels.
The 11 local authorities in level four will remain there until 11 December.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Breaking49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 since Friday
Nicola Sturgeon begins by saying there has been a technical issue with the reporting systems overnight, meaning today's figures will be slightly lower than expected.
The first minister confirms a further 369 people have tested positive for
Covid-19. That is 6.1% of the total number of tests carried out.
This
takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 95,058.
Health board
breakdown:
Ms
Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as
follows:
NHS
Greater Glasgow & Clyde: 133
NHS
Lanarkshire: 49
NHS
Lothian: 48
The
remaining caes are spread across the other health boards.
1,041 patients
are in hospital with a confirmed case (down eight), with 75 being
treated in intensive care (down one).
A
further three people who tested positive have had their deaths registered.
The first minister reminds us that the statistics on Monday are usually lower than you might expect, as many of the registration offices are closed on a Sunday.
In total, since Friday, 49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 on the death certificate - taking the total by that measure to 3,725.
The daily coronavirus briefing is next...
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon will begin the government’s daily briefing shortly, with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch alongside her.
How to watch and listen:
On BBC One Scotland the programme will have the main part of the daily briefing. There will also be reaction from Professor Sian Griffiths, who is Emeritus Professor of Public Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a visiting professor at Imperial College London. And Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, will be interviewed
Meanwhile, if you prefer, you can watch the whole of the briefing with all the questions from journalists on the BBC Scotland Channel
Or you can listen to the briefing on Lunchtime Live on BBC Radio Scotland
All three are available here at the top of this live page.
They include communities in areas of Glasgow, Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and Renfrewshire
The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28
BBCCopyright: BBC
The St Andrews testing centre can process 1,500 lateral flow tests per dayImage caption: The St Andrews testing centre can process 1,500 lateral flow tests per day
Low income families will receive payments of £100 before Christmas, under a new scheme to be announced by Nicola Sturgeon
Patients needing urgent but not live-saving care will be encouraged to call 111 rather than turn up at A&E
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
-
Eligibility for a £500 self-isolation support grant is to be widened from Monday 7 December
-
Scotland is ready to vaccinate "as soon as possible", says health secretary
-
Residents in five coronavirus hotspots are being targeted as part of a trial mass testing programme
-
The first minister highlights the five areas are Alloa, Dalmarnock, Pollokshields, Stewarton and in Girvan
-
Experts say the community testing could cut the chain of transmission by identifying asymptomatic cases of coronavirus
View more on twitterView more on twitter - Testing of Scotland's university students is beginning in an effort to make sure they are safe to return home for Christmas
-
The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28
-
49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 on the death certificate since Friday
-
The first minister will update MSPs tomorrow on the Covid alert levels for each council area in Scotland
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC Aberdeen University are hoping to test about 8,000 students over the next 10 daysImage caption: Aberdeen University are hoping to test about 8,000 students over the next 10 days 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBC ScotlandCopyright: BBC Scotland A total of 28 staff and tenants have tested positive at Dovecot CourtImage caption: A total of 28 staff and tenants have tested positive at Dovecot Court 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
Scottish governmentCopyright: Scottish government -
Scottish government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and cannot do
-
View guidance for the festive period. Full guidance and latest figures on the main Coronavirus page.
- Guidance for students returning home
- Postcode checker for COVID restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland
- NHS Inform
-
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
BBCCopyright: BBC -
NHS
Greater Glasgow & Clyde: 133
-
NHS
Lanarkshire: 49
-
NHS
Lothian: 48
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images -
On BBC One Scotland the programme will have the main part of the daily briefing. There will also be reaction from Professor Sian Griffiths, who is Emeritus Professor of Public Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a visiting professor at Imperial College London. And Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, will be interviewed
-
Meanwhile, if you prefer, you can watch the whole of the briefing with all the questions from journalists on the BBC Scotland Channel
-
Or you can listen to the briefing on Lunchtime Live on BBC Radio Scotland
- Testing of Scotland's university students is beginning in an effort to make sure they are safe to return home for Christmas
-
Residents in five coronavirus hotspots are being targeted as part of a trial mass testing programme
-
They include communities in areas of Glasgow, Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and Renfrewshire
-
The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28
BBCCopyright: BBC The St Andrews testing centre can process 1,500 lateral flow tests per dayImage caption: The St Andrews testing centre can process 1,500 lateral flow tests per day -
Low income families will receive payments of £100 before Christmas, under a new scheme to be announced by Nicola Sturgeon
-
Patients needing urgent but not live-saving care will be encouraged to call 111 rather than turn up at A&E
-
Nicola Sturgeon has defended her government's handling of the pandemic as statistics show Scotland's Covid death rate rose higher than England's in recent weeks
Latest PostCovid in Scotland: The headlines...
Ross: Restrictions should be reduced only if virus rate drops
Douglas Ross says he would like to see restrictions reduced at the weekly review on Tuesday, but “only if the science ensures that we have got on top of the virus” and people will not contract it and need hospital care.
He says following the news about vaccines we can “look forward with hope to the spring and an opportunity to get away from these tough restrictions that are affecting our daily lives”.
Will carol singing be allowed this year? 'Probably not'
Mass testing is an 'important tool', says Douglas Ross
Douglas Ross, who is leader of the Scottish Conservatives, tells BBC One Scotland's Coronavirus Update programme that the mass testing programme being piloted this week is an important tool to get on top of the virus.
“There are still far too many people being infected by Covid-19 and sadly far too many in Scotland and across the country still losing their lives as a result of the virus,” he says.
Background: What are lateral flow tests?
They are rapid turnaround tests, where samples are processed on-site with no lab required and results are available in under half an hour.
They have allowed the introduction of mass testing but they are not as accurate as the PCR tests that are carried out at NHS test centres.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told parliament last week that the lateral flow tests had an overall sensitivity of 76.8% - meaning the test will identify more than seven in 10 positive cases of Covid.
Students are encouraged to take two tests to increase the chances of the virus being picked up.
Lateral flow tests 'not a panacea but can help', says academic
Prof Sian Griffiths says it is perfectly reasonable to try mass testing in Scotland as there will be an evaluation of the lateral flow tests.
The academic says testing is part of what is necessary and the other rules must also continue to be observed.
She argues the test is not a panacea, but that it's another tool that can be used.
A PCR test follows if you have a positive result from the lateral flow test.
'We need to ensure that the numbers continue to go down'
Professor Sian Griffiths, who is Emeritus Professor of Public Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, tells BBC Scotland the number of positive cases is falling across the UK.
"Numbers do appear to be going down, which means the greater restrictions of lockdown in the different countries have had an impact.
"But obviously with Christmas coming up we need to ensure that the numbers continue to go down."
Prof Griffiths points out the best advice is to keep stricter restrictions for longer and bring the R number down further.
There is more optimistic vaccine news today with Moderna being submitted to the regulators, she adds.
Scotland ready to vaccinate 'as soon as possible'
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the full vaccination programme will start as soon as they have enough supplies to do so.
She says “we are ready to go as soon as those approvals come through”.
Any dates are “entirely speculative”, she adds, but once the independent decisions on the vaccines are ready they will make sure the public know in what order the adult population will be vaccinated, and why that order is the one Scotland will follow.
Are there concerns about running of Dovecot Court care home in Peebles?
The number of positive cases in a coronavirus outbreak at an "extra care" housing development in Peebles has risen to 28.
The first minister is asked if she thinks there is a potential problem with the running of the home by the Scottish Borders Council's arms-length company SB Cares.
Ms Sturgeon says she can't give a definitive answer to that, but says the government looks carefully at all outbreaks.
The Care Inspectorate has the responsibility for monitoring standards in care homes, she explains.
Professor Leitch says 94 staff and residents have been tested and visiting has had to be pulled back except for essential visits.
Trying to find a provider to blame is not very helpful he says, adding the government will try and help get the care home become Covid-free as fast as it can.
Student testing not compulsory
Nicola Sturgeon is asked why testing is not compulsory for all students wanting to go home for Christmas.
The first minister says there are ethical issues about forcing anyone to take any test, but the strong advice is for students to get tested twice before travelling home.
National clinical director, Prof Jason Leitch, adds they think the best thing is to educate students about why it is important to get tested.
FM urges people to follow guidance and rules
Ms Sturgeon closes by highlighting the other guidance and advice that remains so crucial.
You can find details below:
Lateral flow tests an 'important building block'
BBC Scotland’s Andrew Kerr asks whether the government was concerned about the accuracy of the new lateral flow tests, and whether they could offer false assurance.
Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland's clinical director, says the lateral flow test is “one of the building blocks” to help track the disease.
He says one of the toughest things with Covid-19 is the long incubation period, which can be up to 10 days after infection, and no test detects it until the virus starts shedding.
He explains that the lateral flow tests are not as effective as the lab-analysed PCR tests, but participants are tested more than once and PCR tests are used to check all positive results to reduce the risk of false positives.
BreakingEligibility for self-isolation support grant to be widened
The first minister turns to the eligibility for the self-isolation support grant of £500.
Ms Sturgeon explains that from next Monday 7 December, the range of people who can claim will be widened.
After 7 December, people will be able to claim the grant if one of their children has to self-isolate.
After that date you will also be eligible even if you don't get Universal Credit but your local authority thinks you would qualify if you applied for it, helping more people to get the grant.
The firsts minister says these changes are important because self-isolating is so important.
If you have symptoms of Covid, you should self-isolate immediately and get tested.
Sturgeon calls on people to come forward for asymptomatic testing
The first minister points out that this mass testing does not mean people who test negative should stop the other safety measures, as the virus could be incubating.
Ms Sturgeon also points out you could pick up the virus after having a test.
She hopes that identifying more people who are positive will help arrest the spreading of the virus.
She encourages people who live in the five areas to come forward for testing.
If you have the symptoms of Covid, you should come forward for testing.
FM outlines expansion of testing in Scotland
Ms Sturgeon turns to the further expansion of testing in Scotland.
Mass testing programmes for Covid-19 are under way in a bid to drive down infection rates before Christmas.
Residents in five coronavirus hotspots are being targeted as part of a trial mass testing programme.
They include communities in areas of Alloa, Dalmarnock, Pollokshields, Stewarton and in Girvan.
The first site to use lateral flow tests will open in Johnstone in Renfrewshire on Wednesday.
Experts say the community testing could cut the chain of transmission by identifying asymptomatic cases of coronavirus.
Read more here.
FM to update MSPs on Covid alert levels tomorrow
The first minister says she will update parliament tomorrow on the levels of restriction which will apply in different local authority areas.
Ms Sturgeon says the government is considering any changes to Covid alert levels.
The 11 local authorities in level four will remain there until 11 December.
Breaking49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 since Friday
Nicola Sturgeon begins by saying there has been a technical issue with the reporting systems overnight, meaning today's figures will be slightly lower than expected.
The first minister confirms a further 369 people have tested positive for Covid-19. That is 6.1% of the total number of tests carried out.
This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 95,058.
Health board breakdown:
Ms Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as follows:
The remaining caes are spread across the other health boards.
1,041 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (down eight), with 75 being treated in intensive care (down one).
A further three people who tested positive have had their deaths registered.
The first minister reminds us that the statistics on Monday are usually lower than you might expect, as many of the registration offices are closed on a Sunday.
In total, since Friday, 49 deaths have been registered with Covid-19 on the death certificate - taking the total by that measure to 3,725.
The daily coronavirus briefing is next...
Nicola Sturgeon will begin the government’s daily briefing shortly, with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch alongside her.
How to watch and listen:
All three are available here at the top of this live page.
Covid in Scotland: The headlines...
Covid in Scotland: Guidance, rules and advice
1. Scottish government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and cannot do
View guidance for the festive period. Full guidance and latest figures on the main Coronavirus page.
Guidance for students returning home
2. Postcode checker for COVID restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland
3. NHS Inform
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
4. Test and Protect
If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test
5. The ready.scot website
It has been updated with the latest help and advice and how you can help others. The helpline number remains: 0800 111 4000
6. The Clear Your Head website
It's ok to not feel yourself right now, here are some tips to help get you through the pandemic.