Eight new Covid cases in Lanarkshire as First Minister expresses concern over testing backlog

Nicola Sturgeon said there is "serious concern" about hold-ups affecting test centres.

Just eight new positive coronavirus tests have been confirmed in Lanarkshire as concerns over a backlog in testing emerged.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there is "serious concern" about hold-ups affecting test centres across the UK.

Today (September 14) is the first day for 16 days that less than 10 positive tests have been confirmed in Lanarkshire following an increase in coronavirus cases.

Across the region, 3367 people have now tested positive for coronavirus including two in North Lanarkshire and six in South Lanarkshire announced today.

Those results came from seven tests taken on Saturday, September 12, and one taken on Tuesday, September 8.

Only Greater Glasgow and Clyde (27) and Ayrshire and Arran (10) saw more positive tests announced today than Lanarkshire.

Ms Sturgeon highlighted the problem as she confirmed just 70 positive cases across Scotland in the past 24 hours - down from 244 the previous day.

Of those 244 announced yesterday, 62 were in Lanarkshire.

The First Minister said: "It's important that I am frank that we now have a very serious concern that the backlog of test results being faced by the UK lab network - which the Glasgow Lighthouse lab is part of - is starting to impact on the timeous reporting of Scottish results.

"We've been raising these concerns with the UK Government in recent days. Indeed, over the weekend, the Health Secretary managed to resist a move to limit access to testing slots at mobile testing units and regional testing centres.

"However, this apparent delay in turnaround is causing us concern and therefore we'll be seeking to escalate these discussions with the UK Government over the course of today."

On Friday, additional restrictions were put on Lanarkshire residents after 205 positive tests were confirmed in the previous week.

In total, 353 people have been confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Lanarkshire but no new deaths have been recorded since July 5.