Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus briefing: This is why the First Minister isn't holding a lunchtime briefing on Tuesday – and what is happening instead

There will be no lunchtime coronavirus briefing from the Scottish Government today, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney instead due to give a statement to Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Swinney will address MSPs in a virtual session of Holyrood at around 2.20pm.

It comes as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there is “early evidence” lockdown restrictions are working and starting to reduce case numbers.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said: “We think we may have some cautious grounds for optimism that admissions to hospital are starting to tail off slightly.”

On Monday, Scotland recorded four deaths of coronavirus patients and 752 new cases in 24 hours.

Ms Sturgeon added that 415,402 people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and said the Scottish Government is on track to meet its target for the vaccination of everyone over the age of 70, set for the middle of February.

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