Worrying rise in Covid cases across Scotland.

Scotland has recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – the highest increase in almost a month.

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.

The previous high for new cases was recorded on Sunday June 21, when there were 26 positive test results.

A total of 18,445 people in Scotland have now tested positive for Covid-19.

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 latest figures, 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 carried out 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 coronavirus to the Care Inspectorate, with a total of 6,801 suspected cases.

Meanwhile, the UK’s national statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond has said a V-shaped economic recovery after coronavirus is still possible.

But speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Sir Ian said it was too early to tell how quickly the UK economy would recover.

When asked if the V-shaped recovery was “for the birds” he added: “Certainly not, but equally it’s too early to tell.

“That 1.8% (UK GDP growth in May), which is 24.5% lower than February, was lower than many analysts were expecting and hoping for.

“Certainly we did see some indication, with manufacturing up 8% and construction up 8%, of a return but clearly there is much to do in places like hospitality and in accommodation.

“Our data are showing that week on week people are saying they are more likely to go to a restaurant, for example, so we will see the economy pick up, but how fast it will pick up with that V-shaped recovery, it’s too early to tell.”

Sir Ian said that 61% of the population had used face coverings in the last week and he expected this to continue to increase.

The head of the Office for National Statistics told the programme: “What we are showing is that week on week there is an increase in the number of people who are using face coverings.”

When asked if he had expected to see an increase in the number of infections as lockdown was lifted, he said that it depended on “how the population works”.

“Clearly over the autumn we will need to be ever vigilant,” he added.