Scotland has recorded 41 deaths from coronavirus and 771 positive tests in the past 24 hours, latest figures show.

It brings the death toll under this measure - of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days - to 3,544.

The Scottish Government statistics show 90,081 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 89,310 the previous day.

The daily test positivity rate is 8.6%, the same figure as on Monday.

Of the new cases, 247 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 156 in Lanarkshire, and 108 in Lothian.

There are 1,197 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, a decrease of 11 in 24 hours.

Of these patients, 84 are in intensive care, no change on Monday.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that for most council areas there would be no change in the levels they have been placed in.

The only exception is one already announced, for East Lothian, which has moved from Level 3 to Level 2.

It comes as Ms Sturgeon said the restrictions which have been imposed "are having an impact".

While coronavirus infection numbers have "stabilised" in recent weeks, Ms Sturgeon added: "We now have grounds for cautious optimism that numbers may be declining."

Nicola Sturgeon said there was also evidence that suggested hospital admissions and admissions to ICU could also be falling - though she stressed these numbers can "fluctuate on a day-to-day basis".

The R number - the average number of people each person with Covid-19 goes on to infect - is now estimated at between 0.8 and 1, the First Minister told MSPs.

But while she said the national picture was "positive" there were some regional variations, saying this was why 11 local authorities areas had last week been placed under the toughest Level 4 restrictions.

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These areas will all remain in Level 4 till December 11, Ms Sturgeon confirmed.

While both Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll and Bute will remain in Level 2 "for now", Nicola Sturgeon said falling prevalence in these areas could see them moved to Level 1 in the "coming weeks".

Nicola Sturgeon said positive developments with vaccines meant that "the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter".

But she stressed: "We must do all we can to keep the virus at bay while we navigate our way through what will be a tough winter."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will announce details of plans to expand the testing of asymptomatic people on Wednesday, but Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government was working with the 11 councils that are in Level 4 to "develop and deliver targeted geographical testing in a number of communities".

Testing will also be expanded to designated visitors to care homes, care at home workers and some other NHS staff, she added.

Meanwhile testing for students ahead of them returning home for Christmas will begin next week, the First Minister said.

She added: "By taking extra care and getting tested before travel, students can help to make the Christmas period as safe as possible for themselves and their families."

Nicola Sturgeon added it was hoped ministers from across the UK could agree a "common framework" for Christmas restrictions at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

However she said there could be some details which differ - such as on the definition of a household - to "reflect the different circumstances in each nation".

Ms Sturgeon added: "I know everyone has a desire to see loved ones over the festive period.

"However there is also a very real and a very legitimate anxiety that doing so could put those we love at risk, set back our progress as a country and result in unnecessary deaths and suffering."

She said the arrangements for the festive period would "seek to balance those concerns".

Ms Sturgeon stressed: "Any easing of restrictions will be temporary, it will be limited and it will be accompanied by advice on the precautions we should all take to minimise risk."