Lanarkshire ‘close’ to fresh restrictions after surge in cases

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Scotland has risen by 159 amid a warning that lockdown measures could be reintroduced in Lanarkshire because of rising infection rates in the region.

Scottish Government figures reveal the second-highest increase in people testing positive for Covid-19 in three months – only one case fewer than Monday’s total.

The number of new cases is also a sharp increase on the 101 patients who tested positive in the 24-hour period announced on Thursday.

Although no new deaths of coronavirus-positive patients have been registered in the past 24 hours, the death of a person in August has now been added to the total, which stands at 2,496 casualties.

The number of tests carried out fell to 18,266, the lowest total for more than a week.

As of Thursday night, four people were in intensive care with coronavirus and a further 258 infected people were in hospital, although that figure includes patients who may not be receiving treatment for the disease.

NHS Lanarkshire’s director of public heath has warned that the region is “very close” to having to reimplement lockdown restrictions, similar to those introduced in the Glasgow area, after the number of cases rose by 16.

Lanarkshire’s health board has now identified 3,044 confirmed cases, an increase of 111 in the past five days.

Gabe Docherty said the figures “should be a wake-up call” for the region’s residents to stick to social distancing guidelines and avoid large household gatherings.

Mr Docherty said: “No one wants another lockdown but Lanarkshire is very close to facing additional Covid-19 restrictions similar to those in Glasgow and neighbouring areas.”