The number of people who have died having contracted coronavirus in Ayrshire and Arran has been confirmed as 27.

There are now 312 confirmed cases in Ayrshire, with 91 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus and 16 in Intensive Care Units.

The figure was announced today by National Records of Scotland as is correct as of April 5.

There have been a total of 354 deaths registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

At the daily press briefing today, the First Minister announced that the total number of laboratory confirmed deaths is 366.

She explained the reason for the disparity in numbers was due to a delay in the registration of deaths through NRS.

Over 60 per cent of all deaths involving COVID-19 were of people aged 75 or over.

Across Scotland, 4,565 patients have tested positive.

Interim chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith said the health system seems "eerily quiet" in terms of those not suffering COVID-19 symptoms.

He urged people to access the NHS if they needed it.

Responding to questions about the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health and social care staff, Nicold Sturgeon said: "We are seeking to maximise the supply routes for PPE.

"We will systematically take on these issues and address them."

Health secretary Jeane Freeman, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley said the country has sufficient supplies of PPE.

She said: "If you work in health and social care and you have any concern at all that you are not receiving the PPE you need when you need it there is a dedicted email for you."

Workers can raise concerns by contacting covid-19-health-ppe@gov.scot.

The email is monitorted constantly and is overseen by ministers.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I’ve got friends and family who work on the frontlines.

"I am the sister of somebody who works on the frontline of the NHS. I care deeply and passionately that the people working for us on the frontline get the support they need."

***********

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We’re not exaggerating when we say that the future of this paper, and the vital local news service we’ve provided for over a century, is under threat.

Please consider supporting our work in whatever way you can – by paying just 90p for a copy of the paper, when you’re shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition available in the menu above.

Thanks – and stay safe.