The number of deaths from Covid-19 in Scotland has risen to 22.

Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement in her daily press briefing.

She said: "Can I begin with an update firstly we are still in the process of verifying the number of confirmed cases.

"However I can tell you and do so there have been a further six deaths taking the total number of deaths to 22.

"As of last night there were 51 patients with Covid or suspected Covid symptoms in intensive care.

"Of course that is a number that we would expect to see rise in the days and weeks to come."

Sturgeon also said the Scottish Government and the Scottish Trades Union Congress have signed a joint agreement on fair work, as she "remains concerned some workers have been put under unacceptable and unnecessary pressure" to continue working during the outbreak.

She said further guidance will be made available to employers, adding: "Fundamentally, most businesses should and will know whether they will be closed and we are relying on them to be responsible at this time of emergency and put the health of their workers first."

The First Minister said the Scottish Government is setting up a new advisory group on the virus to supplement the information from SAGE.

As of today, a total of 10,676 Scottish tests have concluded. Of these:

  • 9957 tests were confirmed negative
  • 719 tests were positive
  • 22 patients who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

The National: