Good evening everyone, 

We hope you're all staying safe and enjoying the good weather as best you can under the circumstances. 

Around 1,000 deaths in Scotland have been officially linked to COVID-19, according to the latest figures from National Records of Scotland, although the latest statistics show a fall in hospital and ICU admissions which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said is a cause for 'cautious optimism'. 

The country's coronavirus death toll has reached 699 with 6,748 positive cases - a rise of 390 on yesterday - while 1,748 are in hospital for treatment including 195 in intensive care. 

Scotland's Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has pledged a range of new support measures to help struggling businesses - Read more here>>>

And an 81-year-old terminally ill great-grandmother in Glasgow has celebrated her birthday after recovering from the virus. Read more here>>>

Stay safe,

Your Scotsman team

Here are this evening's headlines:

• Scotland's coronavirus death toll has reached 699 with 6,748 positive cases - a rise of 390 on yesterday
• 1,748 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 with 195 in intensive care
• National Records of Scotland (NRS) counts nearly 1,000 deaths linked to coronavirus
• Age Scotland chief Brian Sloan claims care homes are being treated a "second tier", telling BBC Radio Scotland that the care sector should be on an equal footing with the NHS
• The UK's chief medical officer has suggested that deaths 'could rise' but added: "Our view is that it is probably reaching the peak overall"
• US president Donald Trump has been criticised for halting funding to the WHO amid the pandemic
• A 106-year-old great-grandmother, thought to be Britain's oldest patient to recover from coronavirus, has been discharged from hospital
• There have been 16 domestic abuse killings in the UK since the lockdown started
• More than 2 million people worldwide have now tested positive for the virus