A potential cluster of coronavirus cases have been identified in North Lanarkshire.

According to BBC reports, health officials have confirmed they are currently investigating the potential local outbreak at a call centre in the region.

It is understood the centre conducts coronavirus contact tracing for Public Health England. 

One employee told the BBC he believed at least seven of his colleagues had tested positive. 

NHS Lanarkshire said it was aware of a number of "potentially linked cases" and said measures have been brought in to try and suppress the potential outbreak.

READ MORE: Highest number of new Covid-19 cases recorded in almost a month

NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, Dr David Cromie, said: "We became aware this morning [19 July] of a number of potentially linked cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Lanarkshire.

"We instigated some immediate measures to reduce risk and are currently investigating the situation."

The news comes after an increase of 21 new coronavirus cases in Scotland - the highest daily figure in almost a month. 

The First Minister said the cases are "still low" and that a fluctuation in confirmed cases is to be expected.

She said: "This is still a low number of cases - and fluctuation is to be expected - but they will all be carefully examined so that any patterns are identified.

"Test and Protect is also working to break the chains of transmission. But we must all play our part by remembering FACTS."

Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch previously said he would not be concerned with fluctuating figures after the spike of cases on Saturday.

He told BBC Scotland: "I expect day-to-day variation and the next thing I look at is the spread around the country.

"So 21 in one small town would worry me much more than 21 spread around the country - and these 21 are spread around the country."

The total number of positive cases in Scotland has risen to 18,445 with no new deaths.

The Scottish death toll remains at 2491.