The number of coronavirus cases in Scotland now stands at 27, an increase of four.

The Scottish Government announced its latest update on the number of cases and a full breakdown of their locations at 2pm today.

NHS Lothian remains Scotland’s worst-affected health board with 7 confirmed cases, followed by Grampian (6), Greater Glasgow and Clyde (3) and Lanarkshire (3).

Four new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

A total of 2,234 people have been tested for the infection in Scotland so far.

The country’s health chief meanwhile has urged the public not to underestimate the virus, saying that the risks posed are not being over-hyped and that escalation measures now look “inevitable”.

Professor Jason Leitch, the Scottish Government's National Clinical Director, said he expects "hard decisions" in the coming weeks and urged the public to carry on as normal and avoid panic buying.

Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland he said it was legitimate for there to be concerns - especially for at-risk groups - and the outbreak would last "months, not weeks".

The latest UK-wide figures show that more than 320 people are now confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19, and six people have died in British hospitals.

It comes as several airlines announced the cancellation of all flights in and out of Italy.

British Airways, Jet2, Wizz Air and Easy Jet are among the airlines to suspend services to the country, which has witnessed more than 9,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 673 deaths.

Coronavirus: Four new Covid-19 cases in Scotland as total rises to 27