There were 59 new cases of coronavirus in the north and north-east over the past 24 hours, fresh statistics have shown.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Scotland has reached 11,654 as a further 32 were confirmed in Grampian.
Those new cases take Grampian’s total to 866, the Highlands increased by 17 to 259, there were no new cases in either Shetland, Orkney or the Western Isles, who remain on 54, seven and six respectively.
There are 13 people in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 in Grampian, and fewer than five each in the Highlands, Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
A total of 1,515 people who tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland have now died.
As of 2pm today, 56,702 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
45,058 confirmed negative
11,654 positive1,515 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/kZjGNz2EDe
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/Rw80uyPwm8— Scottish Government (@scotgov) May 1, 2020
Earlier today, Nicola Sturgeon announced coronavirus testing in Scotland will be expanded in care homes and to people aged over 65 with symptoms of the disease.
The First Minister said testing capacity in Scotland in NHS labs currently stands at 4,350, compared to 350 at the start of the outbreak.
The Scottish Government set a target of 3,500 for capacity in these labs by the end of April.
The First Minister also told the briefing she believes Scotland is not yet past the “danger point” of the virus.
Her comments come the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK is “past the peak” of the virus and “on the downward slope”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I’ve been asked today if I believe that we’re past the peak of this virus and I’ve hesitated to use that language.
“The reason I’ve hesitated to use it is I think it perhaps sends the message that we’re past the danger point and we’re not past the danger point of this virus running out of control yet.”
She added: “That light at the end of the tunnel is there but we’ll only keep it there if we keep doing the things that we’re asking people to do.”
“anything like that right now might edge us over the crucial one number”.
