THE NUMBER of people who have died of coronavirus in Scotland after testing positive has risen by 49 to 1,811 in the past 24 hours. 

There have now been 3,333 positive cases confirmed in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region, up from 3,277 yesterday.

As of midnight, there were 502 people in hospital and 31 in intensive care.

Read more: Coronavirus Live: PM to set out 'road map' to lockdown exit on Sunday

The First Minister was joined by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone and National Clinical Director Jason Leitch.

Nicola Sturgeon began her daily coronavirus briefing with a tribute to soldiers for VE Day commemorations and the briefing started later. 

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: "Communities have stepped forward collectively to do their duty."

Iain Livingstone has praised Scottish compliance with lockdown, and said staff are recieving "high levels" of consent among the public on restrictions of personal freedom. 

He acknowledged the pressures faced by people for whom home is not a safe place and encouraged them to contact the police if they are concerned for their safety. 

He said officers will continue increased patrols and will enforce lockdown rules "bluntly and as a last resort" through fines.

Read more: Glasgow needs more funding to recover from pandemic, says Labour's leader Keir Starmer

The continuation of Scotland's lockdown, and the ways in which it could be eased, was one of the major subjects of the briefing today.

The First Minister stressed the message was still to stay at home. 

She also added that face coverings should be worn when on public transport or in shops.