Nicola Sturgeon reveals three further deaths in Scotland from Covid-19 overnight and 27 new confirmed cases

A further three people in Scotland who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 2,442.

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

She also said a further 27 people have tested positive for the virus since Thursday.

However, data published on Wednesday by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed that, as of Sunday, 4000 people have died where Covid-19 was listed on the death certificate - in other words, where figures include suspected cases.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest Covid-19 figures on Friday afternoon.

Scotland’s R number - the rate at which the virus spreads - is now estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, lower than the previous estimate of between 0.7 and 0.9.

Ms Sturgeon says she is hopeful of announcing the further lifting of the lockdown liftings next Thursday.

But she once again stressed the importance of ensuring the virus is suppressed before going too fast into lifting lockdown and risking a resurgence.