• Scotland's newly-reported positive cases of Covid-19 have risen by 2,045 - the highest single-day figure since mass testing began
• Nicola Sturgeon says the rise in cases "demonstrates the severity of the situation" in Scotland
• There have also been 43 more deaths reported of those who tested positive, taking the total by that measure to 4,510.
• The first minister says even tougher restrictions cannot be ruled out, given that 42.8% of new positive tests in Scotland were indicative of the new, more transmissible, variant of the virus

• Scotland's health secretary confirms vaccinations with the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will begin on Monday, 4 January
• Jeane Freeman says the new vaccine will ensure Scotland's over 50s can all be vaccinated by the spring
• More than 92,000 people have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine
• Education Secretary John Swinney is looking at plans for the greater use of testing in schools when the new term begins

That's all from us on the live page today. Until the next time, take care and stay safe.

Scottish Conservatives MSP Jamie Greene goes back to schools. He asks when exactly the first minister will be able to confirm back-to-school arrangements and also asks if key worker hubs will stay open as long as they are required.

Ms Sturgeon says the arrangements for vulnerable children and children of key workers will remain in place for as long as necessary.

She says decisions are being examined on a daily basis and as much notice as possible will be given.

She says she is aware announcements are being made in England today.

Ruth Maguire MSP asks about a report into residential care homes and whether its recommendations that all homes carry out risk assessments so that visits can resume is happening?

Nicola Sturgeon says everybody is deeply sympathetic to people who are desperate to see loved ones in care homes and the government is doing all it can to allow them to do so.

The first minister says visiting guidance is clear - each home needs to undertake a risk assessment which should be documented in a care plan.

With level four restrictions, visiting is restricted to essential visitors only but it is important these continue to be supported, Ms Sturgeon adds, particularly when a person's wellbeing is changing for the worst, including end-of-life-care.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie reads a letter from the interim chief of NHS Scotland stating that boards can postpone elective surgery in January. He asks the first minister how many boards will be pausing services.

She replies that she wants that to be kept to a minimum and that it will vary from board to board.

She says she is working with health boards to keep the processes going while they deal with Covid. She adds that this will be easier to do if infection levels can be kept down.

She says the health service is working under extreme pressure and says "many staff will have seen nothing like it".

She reiterates that bed occupation in ICU is still under the April peak.

Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, also asks about schools, and asks whether the government will place greater priority on the safety of staff and pupils rather than sticking with pre-planned dates for reopening?

He says it is "clear schools shouldn't reopen until the virus is under control".

Nicola Sturgeon says the government has always put safety first when it comes to schools and the country generally.

We will not compromise on safety, says the first minster, who admits the new strain of Covid-19 may change some of the assumptions and that will be taken into account when assessing whether community transmission is under control.

If they have particular health conditions, some teachers may move up the vaccine priority list, Ms Sturgeon adds, but said people under the age of 50 will be part of the next phase of planning,

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says we are at a critical moment in our response to the pandemic.

He says the challenge is now to accelerate the vaccination programme.

He says the recent increase in cases and the new strain requires "clear and rigorous" control measures.

He says teachers and school staff will return without routine testing in place, without priority for vaccination and still concerned about the 18 January full return being safe.

He asks the first minister to say more about how she will engage with parents and staff concerns and asks when changes will be announced.

Ms Sturgeon says it is very important to take the precautionary action of keeping schools closed for longer. She says the decisions on schools are very sensitive and that over the next few days the situation will be reviewed and she will give as much notice as possible of any changes.

She adds that the education secretary is looking at plans for the greater use of testing in schools when the new term begins.

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives in Holyrood, says people will want information about the new stage of the vaccine rollout and asks Nicola Sturgeon when a list of secure venues for mass vaccinations will be published and whether she is confident each area has the staff they need.

The first minister says the government will look to publish updates as soon as possible and she is confident - but not complacent - about the estimates of how many people will be needed.

"The vaccine programme is going well so far but we need to pick up the pace of that to meet the extra supply with the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine coming on stream," she says.

"That will give us the ability to vaccinate many more people quickly," adds Ms Sturgeon, who says the government is still awaiting delivery schedules for the new vaccine.

Ms Sturgeon ends with a warning on Hogmanay.

She says today's news on the vaccine gives us greater hope but it is now vital that we do all we can to suppress the virus. She urges Scots to act responsibly and adds that the prospects for the new year will be better if we get it off to a good start.

She says we must help the NHS. She says Scottish hospitals are not yet at levels of the peak of the first wave but they are under pressure.

None of us should be visiting each other's homes right now, or travelling to other local authority areas, or to other parts of the UK unless absolutely essential, stresses the first minster.

Ms Sturgeon says Covid testing centres are remaining open right through the festive period, as well as mental health hubs. She urges anyone struggling with their mental health not to hesitate to ask for help and to call 111.

The first minister also reminds us of the FACTS advice.

Image source, Scottish government

Nicola Sturgeon says the speed of transmission of the new variant means tougher restrictions could be imposed.

She also adds that the arrangements for the return of schools are also under ongoing review. She says the government will assess if the plan to reopen on 18 January will go ahead.

She says it continues to put the safety of pupils and staff first.

The first minister says the new tighter restrictions introduced from Boxing Day indicate the severity of the situation in Scotland, but that even tougher restrictions cannot be ruled out.

Ms Sturgen says 42.8% of new positive tests in Scotland were indicative of the new variant of the Covid-19 virus, which is higher than the 38% analysis by the Office of National Statistics for the week beginning 14 December.

The figure was just 6% at the end of November, she says.

This new strain appears to be fast becoming the dominant one which is a cause for concern as it is significantly more transmissible, the first minister adds.

Ms Sturgeon's first point is the approval of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which she calls "extremely good news" due to its easier distribution.

She adds that the recommendation is now that a second dose of both vaccines can be given up to 12 weeks after the first which means more people can be vaccinated more quickly.

She confirms that the Oxford vaccine will begin on Monday.

She says that more than 92,000 people have now received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Nicola Sturgeon begins her statement by reminding us of the latest daily figures, with 2,045 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the past 24 hours, the highest number recorded since the start of the pandemic.

There have also been 43 more recorded deaths after a positive test, taking the total by that measure to 4,510.

The first minister says this is "obviously significant" and "demonstrates the severity of the situation we face right now".

As much of England is placed into Tier 4 and Tier 3 restrictions, Prof Bauld calls the situation across much of the UK a "crisis" but says that Scotland has not reached that level yet.

She says that once everyone over the age of 50 is vaccinated by late spring, the country will be able to open up and she is feeling very positive about "March, April and May".

Improved weather will also help during those months.

But she says we should expect face coverings and social distancing to remain until a larger number of people in the population have been vaccinated.