A NUMBER of businesses in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS region have been linked to a new cluster of coronavirus cases. 

The NHS board confirmed today that a number of businesses in the region are linked to the outbreak, including a pharmacy in Inverclyde.

The board said that a "thorough investigation" was underway and that close contacts were being advised to self-isolate and other identified contacts were being contacted and given "appropriate advice".

A spokeswoman for the board said: "To respect and maintain patient confidentiality no further details will be released at this time."

It comes after Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest statistics and said there had been 22 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

She said that 14 were in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.

The area covers Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East and West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde.

Ms Sturgeon said: A possible cluster in under investigations.”

She said it was being “Thoroughly investigated for any links”.

The 22 new cases represented 0.7% of all tests carried out.

The latest figures showed there were 260 people in hospital a decrease of four and the number of people in intensive care remained at two.

Ms Sturgeon, however, said there had been no new admissions to ICU units since July 9.

Ms Sturgeon said: “ The clusters we have seen demonstrates how quickly the virus will spread if we give it the opportunity to do so.”