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

Measures have been brought in by the region’s health board to try and suppress the potential outbreak.

NHS Lanarkshire said it had been notified about “potentially linked cases” of Covid-19 infections in the area on Sunday.

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “We became aware this morning 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.”

The news comes as Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – the highest increase in almost a month.

Three of these were in the Lanarkshire health board area.

This figure 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 record for new cases since June 21, when there were 26 positive test results.

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: Biggest jump in new cases in a month

Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch previously said he would not be concerned with fluctuating figures when there was a recorded spike of 21 new cases on Saturday.

He told BBC Scotland: “I expect day-to-day variation and the next thing I look at is the spread around the country.

“So 21 in one small town would worry me much more than 21 spread around the country – and these 21 are spread around the country.”