There has been eight new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the north and north-east of Scotland in the past 24 hours.
Latest figures released by the Scottish Government show there has been an increase of two cases in the Highlands and a further six in Grampian.
Those new cases take the north-east’s total to 1,206 and 333 in the Highlands.
Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles remain on 331, 54, seven and six respectively.
There are six people in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 in Grampian, and fewer than five each in the Highlands, Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
A total of 14,655 have tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland with 2,134 dying from the virus.
As of 2pm today 90,421 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
75,766 confirmed negative
14,655 positive2,134 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/bZPbrCoQux
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/oeHZ6VWWyn— Scottish Government (@scotgov) May 19, 2020
Unemployment
Speaking after the latest unemployment statistics were published, Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government was committing a further £33 million to help people get back to work during the coronavirus crisis.
She stressed Scotland’s unemployment rate, which is currently 4.1%, was “relatively low” by historical standards.
But she warned the figures “do not reflect the full economic impact of the pandemic”.
She said the rise in unemployment “undoubtedly further demonstrate the need to carefully get our economy moving again as quickly as we are able to do that safely”.
Speaking about the new funding, the First Minister said: “We will be investing a further £33 million to support people back to work as we gradually get the economy opened up again”
She said “most” of the funds would go to the Fair Start Scotland scheme, and would “have a particularly focus on helping those most adversely affected”, including young people, disabled and lone parents.