After three months of the lockdown measures being imposed, the First Minister said at her daily news briefing it was the “most challenging” period in the lifetime of most Scots.

While saying “we still have work to do” and that the virus will pose a risk for some time to come, Ms Sturgeon added: “It's also important to remind ourselves of the progress that we've made."

She said: “Today we're in a very different position. Hospital admissions which at one point were at 200 a day are currently in single figures every day.

Nicola Sturgeon will give more details about easing of lockdown on Wednesday.

"The number of people in intensive care has fallen by 90% and while it is the case that one person dying from this virus is one too many, we've also seen a very significant and sustained decline in the number of those deaths."

The NHS did not “come close” to being overwhelmed, Ms Sturgeon said, crediting the efforts of the Scottish people for the progress made in suppressing the virus.

The First Minister told the briefing that the coronavirus pandemic had shown "the very best of Scotland".

She added: “Our communities have rallied together in support of those in need, to check in on neighbours, to help people with shopping or simply to offer a friendly face.”

For shielded people, the First Minister said that images of grandparents reuniting with their families over the weekend after the easing of lockdown measures showed how difficult the last three months had been for them.

Ms Sturgeon told the briefing that she would be announcing dates for moving to the next phases of the Scottish Government's route map out of lockdown on Wednesday, ahead of when she had planned to do so.

She said: “Tomorrow, I'll be able to provide further detail on the timing of some of the specific steps in that journey.

“I'll be able to do so tomorrow ahead of when I thought just a few days ago that might be possible.”

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Nicola Sturgeon to give more details about easing of lockdown in Scotland on Wednesday

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