Coronavirus in Scotland: 18 new cases confirmed bringing total to 171

A further 18 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Scotland bringing the total to 171, according to government officials.

The recent figures cover the cases diagnosed in the last 24 hours, the Scottish Government reports.

Currently the most affected area in Scotland is Greater Glasgow and Clyde with 44 cases.

A number of Scottish schools had to close this morning as cases are on the rise across the country.

Scottish Government releases the country's latest coronavirus figures

Among the latest cases of COVID-19 in Scotland, three at Glasgow University tested positive and six were confirmed at Highgate Care Home in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire.

So far, one person in Scotland has died since contracting the coronavirus.