Coronavirus: Daily figures show 20 new Scottish cases - BBC News
There have been no new deaths as a result of the virus recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours.
More than 16,000 tests were completed in the past 24 hours

A further 20 people in Scotland have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 18,520.

No deaths of people who tested positive for the virus were recorded for eight consecutive days, meaning the toll remains at 2,491 under that measure.

The Scottish government said 16,338 tests had been done since Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "we must not drop our guard", in response to the figures.

They also showed 278 people with a confirmed case of the disease are currently in hospital, two of them in intensive care.

Ten suspected cases in care homes have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

The overall proportion of people testing positive remains at 0.4%.

In a tweet, the first minister said: "Another day in Scotland with no deaths of confirmed cases, and tests coming back positive still under 1%. But we must not drop our guard."

She urged people to stick to the Scottish government's guidance on suppressing the virus, including on face coverings and social distancing.

The figures are published as lockdown is further eased for people who are in the shielding category and classed as being particularly vulnerable to the virus.

They are now able to meet up to eight people from two different households indoors, as well as with four other households outdoors.

Ms Sturgeon said on Thursday shielding will be able to be "paused" from August 1, with those in the category able to follow the guidance for those who are at higher risk from the virus, such as the elderly.