NICOLA Strurgeon has revealed the R number in Scotland may now be "slightly below one" - as she reiterated current restrictions were working. 

The First Minister confirmed the measure - which shows the average number of people infected by each person with Covid-19 - appeared to be reducing. 

However, Ms Sturgeon admitted there were some areas in Scotland that were continuing to be a cause for concern as she admitted the Government were looking into what further action could be required for winter. 

The First Minister said: “[The R number] suggests some progress has been made in recent weeks.

“The current tough measures, and people’s compliance with these measures, are undoubtedly having an effect.”

The First Minister added: “That [the level in the Central Belt] creates a risk for the winter period and it also makes the risks associated with the Christmas period higher as well.

“So, we will be considering carefully over the next few days and assessing whether further action is required.”

The latest figures

Scotland has recorded 45 deaths from coronavirus and 1,212 positive cases in the past 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Speaking at the start of First Minister’s Questions at the Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said the death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 3,188.

The First Minister said the daily test positivity rate is 6.1%, down from 6.5% on Wednesday.

A total of 77,660 people have tested positive in Scotland, up from 76,448 the previous day.

Of the new cases, 474 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 231 in Lanarkshire, and 141 in Lothian.

There are 1,207 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, a fall of 28 in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 98 are in intensive care, up by five.

More to follow...