Nicola Sturgeon update: when is FM making Scotland Covid announcement today - and what might she say?

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to give her next Covid update today (Tuesday 25 May) as cases continue to rise in parts of Scotland.

As the country gradually emerges from lockdown, Ms Sturgeon will provide an overview of the current coronavirus situation.

She is expected to address the surge in cases in some particular areas, including Glasgow, Clackmannanshire and East Renfrewshire.

Glasgow is the only council area in Scotland to remain in Level 3, while the rest of the mainland moved down to Level 2 and island communities went into Level 1 on 17 May.

So, how can you watch the latest announcement and what might Ms Sturgeon say?

Here is everything you need to know.

What time is Nicola Sturgeon speaking?

The First Minister will give her Covid update from St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh on Tuesday 25 May, alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith.

She is expected to speak at 12:15pm.

How can I watch Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement?

Viewers can watch the First Minister’s announcement live on the Scottish Government's official Twitter page (@scotgov).

It will also be broadcast on the BBC Scotland channel and BBC One Scotland.

What might the First Minister say during her latest update?

It is understood that Ms Sturgeon will address rising Covid infection rates in “areas of concern”.

That includes Glasgow, Clackmannanshire and East Renfrewshire.

In each area, virus cases are particularly high. Clackmannanshire has now overtaken Glasgow City as having the highest Covid rate in Scotland.

The latest figures show the area had a seven-day average of 140 cases per 100,000 people, in comparison to Glasgow’s 137.

New Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the situation in Clackmannanshire was giving ministers “a little bit of concern”.

"Clackmannanshire has a really small population, so even four, five, six households testing positive can really make the numbers look like they're shooting up,” he said on Monday (24 May).

He added: "But it is a concerning situation, I'm not going to lie to you about that.

"It's one of the local authorities we're looking at and speaking to local health directors, can it be contained and can it be managed?"

Mr Yousaf also said the week ahead will be “critical” for Glasgow if the city is to see an easing of its Level 3 restrictions.

There, the number of cases is still increasing but at a slower rate than before.

Meanwhile, the case rate in East Renfrewshire is thought to have stabilised.

However, Ms Sturgeon is not expected to announce any changes to the current restrictions during her update today or any moves to lower or higher local protection levels.

Instead, she may make apparent what could happen in the “areas of concern” in the coming days.

She is also expected to address the vaccine rollout in Scotland, after large numbers of jab appointments were missed at Glasgow’s largest vaccination centre over the weekend.

It was revealed on Monday that almost half of vaccine bookings were missed at the SSE Hydro, including many cancellations and non-attendances.