i will hand over to dr gregor smith. u nfortu nately, over to dr gregor smith.e continually have to turn to when discussing covid—19 and today i want to acknowledge the terrible burden some families experience, as they deal with that loss. it is a difficult time for those who have lost someone not only from covid—19 but other conditions. as a gp it is too real to me the support some people need during the grieving process and i ask everybody to bear that in mind and to try to offer their own way of support, recognising the need for social distancing but to be able to call upon people in other ways to offer them support. across scotland, the process of saying goodbye is an important part of the grieving process but at this time it is important people are able to grieve the passing of a loved one but delaying the funeral in anticipating of social distancing being lifted could increase strain on funeral services responding to coronavirus and we respectfully ask families not to delay the funeral as a result of adherence to the advice, or because they are waiting for

letting me go through that in some detail, i will hand over briefly to the interim cmo, doctor gregor smith the fact there was much to be discovered about this new virus and the disease covid—19 that it caused. this means not only learning about it using the best advice available in this country but learning through our broad scientific and research networks as part of a global response. that is why we established an independent advisory group to ensure any evidence considered in the uk or international level was releva nt the uk or international level was relevant in a scottish context to put the group contains a strong mix of epidemiologists, public health experts, behavioural scientists and leading academics from a range of scottish sectors. that way i am able to ensure scottish ministers are afforded best scientific and clinical advice available. the distinguish chair of the group, professor andrew morris, is a member of the uk scientific advisory group, sage, to ensure we are supporting efforts across the whole of the uk to bring the best science to bear in this crisis. that relationsh

and i want to take a moment to introduce doctor greg smith, whojoins me here today. gregorfuture and we‘ll see if you words after i have finished. it has been a difficult 24 hours for the government and i am acutely aware thatis government and i am acutely aware that is as nothing compared to the difficulties faced by those who have contracted covid—19 or who loved ones get it or indeed the health and ca re ones get it or indeed the health and care staff we are calling on to treat them. supporting and helping them will always be our chief priority and that is my and the government‘s total focus. i want to update you on some of the key sister sta kes update you on some of the key sister stakes in relation to the progress of covid—19 in scotland. —— statistics. i can confirm that as of nine o‘clock this morning, there have been 3000, 961 positive cases confirmed, that is an increase of 255 from the figures reported yesterday. —— 3861. these numbers will be an underestimate. —— 3961. that is an increase of two on yesterday. a total of 1599 patients are currently in hospital wi