No new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the Highlands in the past 24 hours while Grampian’s total climbed by 21.
The latest figures from the Scottish Government show a total of 103,508 people in Scotland have been tested through NHS labs to date.
Of these, 88,352 were confirmed negative and 15,156 were positive – an increase of 55 since Sunday.
Today’s update also shows a further three people have died after testing positive with the virus, taking Scotland’s death toll to 2,273.
In the Highlands, there have been no new confirmed cases of coronavirus for the fourth day running.
The total number of positive cases so far has remained at 335 while 10 people are in hospital with a confirmed case of Covid-19.
In Grampian, the total of positive cases has risen to 1,245 and 71 people are receiving hospital treatment.
There are no new cases in the islands; the total remains at 54 for Shetland, seven on Orkney and six in the Western Isles.
Coronavirus in Scotland – track the spread in these charts and maps
Nicola Sturgeon said at her daily briefing today on Thursday – the day the Scottish Government is next due to review the lockdown – there would be a “clear decision” made on whether Scotland was moving to the first phase of the four-part plan to ease restrictions.
“Our current expectation is we will be able to announce a relaxation of some of those restrictions,” she said.
This will focus at first on outdoor activities, the First Minister said, adding she would expect changes to come into force from Friday.
The First Minister said: “We will give you careful information as we go through this week about what rules are changing, what measures are in place to help you and what you should be considering as you decide what you can and can’t do.”
The Scottish Government will also announce more details of its “test and protect” system on Tuesday, along with a plan for how public transport can operate safely while Covid-19 is still in circulation.
Ms Sturgeon said this would include the “clear expectation” that people on public transport would wear face coverings.
New guidance for different sectors of the economy will also be made public this week – with this currently being finalised with industry groups, trade unions and public health experts.
