DEATH TOLL
Coronavirus Scotland: Just three registered Covid-19 deaths overnight as ICU numbers continue to fall
by David IrvineTHREE more Scots have died from coronavirus overnight taking Scotland's death toll to 2,273.
There have now been 15,156 positive cases throughout the country - an increase of 55 from yesterday.
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1,269 people are currently in the hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.
849 people are receiving treatment having tested positive for the killer bug, with 420 suspected of having contracted the illness.
This includes 40 in intensive care with confirmed coronavirus.
The total number of people to have recovered from Covid-19 has risen to 3,572.
The figures, which should be treated with caution, were revealed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this afternoon.
It comes as Ms Sturgeon said she is optimistic lockdown restrictions could start being lifted on Thursday.
She said the country should be able to move into phase one of her exit plan later this week.
Speaking on GMB, the SNP boss said “I am very hopeful and optimistic we'll be able to move to phase one on Thursday.
“The data right now would suggest that's the case, but of course I've got to formally assess that on Thursday.
"I think that will be an important step forward.
“It will be a cautious step forward because we have to keep the virus under control, but it will be the first step on that road hopefully back to a greater degree of normality.”
Ms Sturgeon also said PM Boris Johnson's aide Dominic Cummings should go as she added that CMO Catherine Calderwood 'didn't try to save her own skin'.
She added that she was “very concerned” that Mr Cummings’ actions had undermined her “stay at home” message north of the border.