Good evening everyone,

We continue to pay tribute to our #HealthHeroes as the UK posts the highest daily death toll of coronavirus deaths in Europe since the pandemic broke out. 

A total of 980 people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the UK's total death toll to 8,958. 

The number of people in Scotland to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus has risen to 495. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 48 deaths from COVID-19 had been recorded since Thursday.

Meanwhile, police in Scotland have dished out fines to more than 500 people caught flouting lockdown rules. 

Morrisons Foundation – the charitable arm of Morrisons supermarket - has set aside a £500,000 fund to help charities offer additional protection, services and support to the homeless.

And in Glasgow, artist Ross Muir has capture the public's attention with a poster campaign featuring painter Vincent van Gogh and the slogan: "Jist Gogh home".

Stay home, stay safe, and have a good weekend,

Your Scotsman team

Here are tonight's headlines:

• 495 people in Scotland are now known to have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus
• The UK death toll has increased by 980 - a European daily high - to reach a total of 8,958
• There are 70,272 confirmed cases in the UK, up more than 5,100 from the previous day. 
• People are being urged to help combat the spread of coronavirus by staying home over Easter
• Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch states that "30 - 60 minutes of exercise is about right"
• Global fatalities from the virus are nearing 100,000, according to Johns Hopkins University 
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson is now able to "take short walks" as he recovers in hospital