Highest number of new virus cases in a month

SCOTLAND has recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – including two in Tayside.

The number of new cases has now risen in each of the last five days – up from three on Tuesday – although no further deaths of people with the disease have been recorded.

It is the highest increase in almost a month. The previous high for new cases was recorded on Sunday June 21, when there were 26 positive tests.

A total of 18,445 people in Scotland have now tested positive.

There were 302 coronavirus patients in hospital as of Saturday evening, three of whom were in intensive care along with another patient who is suspected of having the infection.

According to the Scottish Government’s figures yesterday, the number of tests carried out in NHS Scotland laboratories fell to 2,771 – the lowest figure since June 8 and a sharp drop from the 4,461 tests announced on Saturday.

Tests carried out through mobile, drive-through and home testing accounted for a further 9,366 in the 24-hour period.

Suspected cases of coronavirus in Scottish care homes have risen by 23, according to the latest figures.

There were 84 care homes that, on Saturday, had at least one resident infected with the virus – 8% of all Scotland’s care homes.

Since the start of the pandemic, 695 (64%) care homes have reported at least one suspected case of the virus to the Care Inspectorate, with a total of 6,801 suspected cases.

Commenting on the figures, First

Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people to follow the advice about wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, avoiding crowded places, cleaning hands, two-metre social distancing and self-isolating if you have symptoms.

She tweeted: “This is still a low number of cases – and fluctuation is to be expected – but they will all be carefully examined, so any patterns are identified. Test & Protect is also working to break the chains of transmission. But we must all play our part.”

A potential cluster of coronavirus infections is being investigated in Lanarkshire.

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “We became aware of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus in Lanarkshire.

“We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon