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Another 350 new cases of coronavirus have been found in Scotland, the highest daily increase since the girl.

Three more people tested positive for the virus have died, according to Scottish official figures.

Sixty-four people were in the hospital on Friday – nine in intensive care.

Since the start of the year, the number of confirmed deaths in Scotland has risen to 2,555.

However, according to monthly data from Scotland’s National Records, there were 4,236 deaths where the virus was mentioned in death certificates.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde recorded 116 new cases, the highest increase among Scottish health boards.

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The latest figures were announced after the first minister warned that stricter restrictions could be imposed to deal with the increase in cases.

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The incidence of daily covid has increased steadily throughout September, but 350 new cases show a significant jump compared to Friday’s 203.

Nicola Sturgeon said “larger restrictions” may be needed to “prevent” the spread of the virus in order to prevent a full-scale lockdown.

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Linda Bould, a professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland: “The Scottish Government and most people’s priority schools continue to be open.

“If we don’t want to see more people in the hospital, other parts of our economy need to stop.”

‘Almost inevitable’

He added: “Closures will be a last resort – more restrictive lockdowns – and things like curfews may be a middle ground, but I think it’s almost inevitable.

“The essential thing I want to assume in terms of the ongoing restrictions on meeting at each other’s homes is that we can see that travel bans within the country have taken effect, because obviously we don’t want a region of higher ground to affect a neighboring region.”

Sanctions were reintroduced on September 2 in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and other families visiting East Renfrewshire after concerns were raised about the number of cases.

Earlier this week, the Scottish Government took a break from subsequent changes to the lockdown rules and tightened other measures.