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Sixty patients have now been diagnosed with Coronavirus in Scotland - after 24 new cases were confirmed today.

The Scottish Government revealed the new cases this afternoon, just hours after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed gatherings of over 500 are set to be banned.

This is the largest increase in cases since the virus was first discovered in Scotland on March 1.

A total of 2,892 tests have been concluded in Scotland with 2,832 negative.

Schools are also set to close and home working will be encouraged as part of the UK Government's plans to combat the spread of the virus.

(Image: Daily Record - Phil Dye)

The infected patients are from the following NHS health boards;

Ayrshire and Arran - 4

Borders - 2

Fife - 3

Forth Valley - 6

Grampian - 7

Greater Glasgow and Clyde - 10

Lanarkshire - 7

Lothian - 11

Shetland - 6

Tayside - 4

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Speaking ahead of a Cobra meeting with other UK leaders, the First Minister said: "Mass gatherings are required to be policed, they require to have emergency ambulance cover, they require the services of our voluntary health services, and at a time when we need to be reducing the pressures on these front-line workers in order to free them up on the significant challenge that lies ahead, I do think it is inappropriate that we continue as normal."

The first person to be diagnosed with Covid-19 strain in Scotland, on March 1, was from Tayside.

The number of cases of coronavirus in the UK has risen to 590.

Under Sturgeon's plans, Sunday's clash between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox Stadium would go ahead as planned.

The Scottish Government has warned that up to 80 per cent of the population could become infected, with as much as 4 per cent of those needing hospital treatment.

We will keep you up to date with the latest developments both in Scotland and abroad in the battle to contain the virus.