| Good afternoon, This is a breaking coronavirus bulletin from The Scotsman. If you appreciate our work keeping Scotland informed throughout the pandemic, please consider taking out a subscription with us. Try us out for £3 per month for the first two months, today. Latest coronavirus figures 50 further Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, with 1,422 new cases confirmed. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says today's figures show a 'spike' in deaths, after 28 were recorded the day before. For the latest infection rates, deaths, and areas which have been worst affected, read this Schools are 'not untouchable' That's what Nicola Sturgeon says about the prospect of an extended closure over the Christmas break. But the objective is still to 'keep schools open', the First Minister insists. It comes as Ms Sturgeon did not rule out the prospect of a second lockdown as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise. The SNP will try to keep schools open as far as possible, she said, and the price of that at times 'may be greater restrictions on the rest of the population' to facilitate it. More Covid-19 news >>For the latest updates as they happen, follow our live blog here. Stay safe, Ginny Sanderson - ginny.sanderson@jpimedia.co.uk | 
