SCOTLAND has recorded its highest daily total of coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic with 486 new positive tests reported over 24 hours.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the latest figures at the Scottish Government daily briefing.

The First Minister also reported two further deaths of coronavirus patients who received a positive test in the last 28 days.

The number of new cases accounts for 7.8% of all people newly tested yesterday.

"The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 486. I should point out that is the highest number of positive cases we've ever recorded in a single day,” the First Minister told viewers.

"However, for context, it must be remembered that many more people are being tested now than was the case in the spring."

She said the figures are "obviously a real cause for concern”, but added they underline “why we took very decisive and very tough action yesterday to try to get the virus back under control”.

The provisional information showed that 224 of the new cases were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area – which Sturgeon said had been driven by a “significant outbreak” at the University of Glasgow.

Meanwhile there were 107 new cases in Lanarkshire and 57 in Lothian. The remaining 98 cases were spread across the other eight mainland health boards.

The news comes after the First Minister announced a Scotland-wide ban on visiting other people’s homes or hosting others in your own home.

There are limited exceptions for childcare, extended household groups or tradespeople.

The First Minister also announced a new 10pm curfew for bars, pubs and restaurants in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 in hospitality settings.