Death toll from coronavirus in Scotland rises to 915

Scotland’s death toll from coronavirus has risen to 915 – an increase of 12 from Sunday’s figures.

A total of 8450 cases of Covid-19 have now been diagnosed across the country – up 263 in the last 24 hours.

There are 1809 patients currently in hospital, including 169 who are being treated in intensive care.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest figures during her daily briefing in Edinburgh.

She said the Scottish Government will set out “towards the end of this week” a framework which will guide its lifting of lockdown measures.

She said: “I want to be clear, however, that the initial version of this work will not set out what measures will be lifted and when.

“We are simply not yet in the position to take those decisions in a properly informed way.”

She stressed she will not rush to remove the measures as this could risk a resurgence of the virus, overwhelming the NHS and putting many more lives at risk.

She added: “It will also be clear in the work we set out later in the week that living with this virus, as we will need to learn to do, is likely to mean some restrictions on everyday life in the form of social distancing for some time to come.”

Sturgeon urged people struggling to access food during the outbreak to ask for help.

She said: “Help is available. Please ask for support if you need it.”

The First Minister said for those in the shielded group – around 150,000 people in Scotland – more than 41,000 people have had essentials delivered.

She said those who have signed up to the text message service for this in the past week may not yet have had their first delivery but will do shortly.

Sturgeon added: “If you can’t access food for whatever reason, be that because you are shielding, because you are self isolating, or you might find yourself unable to afford food for your family, contact the national helpline.

“Nobody should have to worry about access to food.”

The free helpline, launched previously, is on 0800 111 4000 and is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.