In Ayrshire, 272 NHS staff have tested positive for coronavirus, as today's figures show hospital admissions are lowest since first reported.

Since, NHS Ayrshire and Arran began its in-house lab analysis on March 22, 1,164 tests for COVID-19 have been carried out on staff members, and a further 259 on members of their family or other household contacts, of which 17 returned positive.

Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “Our proactive policy means we have tested a higher proportion of staff, their household contacts or family members. This is so that staff can be excluded from work, or able to safely return to work as soon as possible depending on the result of their test.”

The number of patients in hospitals for COVID-19 has fallen to 57, the lowest since the daily figures were reported on April 8. This is a decrease of 29 in 24 hours. There are 8 people in intensive care.

Seven more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Ayrshire since yesterday, bringing the total to 825.

Between March 5 and May 3, 163 inpatients who had tested positive have been discharged from hospitals in Ayrshire.

Today, the Scottish Government published a paper outlining further information regarding future lockdown decisions.

The First Minister said that the government believes the reproduction rate of the virus, known as the R number, is between 0.7 and one, meaning for every person who contracts COVID-19, they will pass it on to one person or fewer on average.

Nicola Sturgeon said: "The margins we are operating in are very fine.

"Lifting the lockdown will not be like flicking a switch.

"There will be careful and gradual changes to the lockdown restrictions, only when we judge it safe to make them, which is not right now."

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said there is insufficient evidence to recommend changing restrictions at this time to prevent the spread of the ‘nasty little virus’.

Irvine Times: Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said there is insufficient evidence to recommend changing restrictions at this time to prevent the spread of the ‘nasty little virus’.Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said there is insufficient evidence to recommend changing restrictions at this time to prevent the spread of the ‘nasty little virus’.

Ms Sturgeon said the government was looking at a number of different considerations which would constitute a relaxation of the lockdown measures.

These included seeing how it would be possible to allow members from different households to meet up outdoors in what she referred to as a 'bubble'.

This would be a small group of the same defined individuals who would be allowed to meet - in effect forming a larger household.

Ms Sturgeon said that this sounded appealing on the surface but would mean a greater impact if one member displayed symptoms - all people in the 'bubble' would have to self-isolate for 14 days.

She said: "I know how desperate you all are to give your family members a hug."

Other possible easings on restrictions include exercise outdoors being more frequent than once a day, resuming certain NHS and community care services that were postponed, and looking at how certain businesses may reopen safely by changing working practices.

Particular consideration is being given to construction, retail, manufacturing, outdoor and rural business.

However, Ms Sturgeon reinforced the current guidance that if it is possible to work from home, then employees should continue to do so.

Schools in Ayrshire may see certain pupils return as years who are preparing for exams may be phased back in.

This may also see various year groups using school facilities part-time to allow physical distancing between pupils and opportunity for deep cleaning of surfaces.

Dr Smith said: "We do need much, much more information and evidence on the impact that introducing any of these changes might have on the transmission of this virus."

Ms Sturgeon gave no dates for when any of these measures may come into place, but the lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed again at the end of this month (May 28).

She said: "As soon as we can start to attach even tentative dates, we will do that.

"The most important task for all of us in the here and now is to get the virus under more control than it is right now.

"We really are at a critical stage. Think hard about your own compliance. If you have been going out more than you should, please rectify that.

"You should ask yourself, if going for a drive-through coffee is really essential."