Nicola Sturgeon will host a covid briefing this afternoon alongside National Clinical Director Jason Leitch.
The First Minister held a briefing on the state of the pandemic earlier this week on Tuesday
It comes after Wednesday recorded 5,021 new positive tests - the highest number of covid cases since the beginning of the pandemic, surpassing 5,000 for the first time.
Yesterday saw 14 new deaths recorded - the highest level for more than a month.
While the number of deaths and hospitalisations related to coronavirus remains comparatively low due to the vaccination programme, cases continue to rise dramatically.
On Wednesday, NHS Lanarkshire announced it had temporarily postponed the majority of non-urgent elective procedures for the next couple of weeks due to "unprecedented pressures".
What time will the briefing be held?
The briefing will take place at 12.15pm today from St Andrews House.
What is the First Minister expected to discuss?
Ms Sturgeon is expected to discuss the recent spike in new cases recorded every day. As well as the record number of positive tests confirmed on Wednesday, yesterday also saw the number of cases rise by 4,925 - the second highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic.
Scotland moved beyond the Levels system earlier this month. However, on Tuesday the First Minister said she "can't completely rule out" further lockdown restrictions in Scotland.
Confirming the briefing, Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "I’ll give a Covid update today at 12.15pm - covering the latest figures, and asking all of us to play our part, through compliance with basic mitigations, in slowing down the rapid transmission we are seeing just now."
Where can I watch it?
The briefing will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland as well the Scottish Government Twitter page.
