Nicola Sturgeon warns of indoor restrictions as Scotland's Covid cases at highest level since May

Nicola Sturgeon has warned she may have to reimpose restrictions on meeting indoors after expressing "anxiety" over Scotland's Covid-19 cases rising to their highest level since May.

The First Minister disclosed 160 new cases had been confirmed, the largest daily total since May 16, as she warned against "really dangerous" complacency setting in.

Despite no more deaths being recorded again, she said she feels "a greater sense of anxiety today" than at any time "probably for the last couple of months".

With many cases being linked to house parties, she said there was a risk she would have to tighten up the Scottish Government rules on indoor gatherings. Up to eight people from three households can currently meet.

 The 160 new cases followed 123 reported on Sunday, with almost half (69) reported in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.

Speaking at her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon said the Glasgow cases came from several small clusters rather than one or two "significant outbreaks".

But she said the daily total was "undoubtedly a concern" and pleaded with people to "think very carefully about how you're living your life at the moment" as she revealed anxiety about the "fragile" state of coronavirus suppression.

"I have always tried to be frank with you about my assessments and feelings about the situation that we are in, which is why I feel able to say to you today - and feel that it is important I say to you - that I feel a greater sense of anxiety today than I have done any time probably for the last couple of months," she said.

"We are in a fragile position; we have substantially lifted the lockdown restrictions but in doing so we've allowed this virus opportunities to spread."

Pressed if she could reimpose restrictions on indoor meetings, she said: "I fervently hope we can avoid that but I can’t rule out that possibility."

As well as the Aberdeen outbreak, health officials are currently investigating or monitoring clusters of cases in Glasgow, Coupar Angus, Hawick and Ayrshire and Arran.

Ms Sturgeon said an incident management team was looking at a cluster of 22 cases in Ayrshire and Arran, many of which she said "seem to be linked to indoor gatherings that took place the previous weekend".

A cluster in Hawick in the Scottish Borders had increased to 15 people, she added, with a mobile testing unit in place in the town, and there are now 188 cases linked to the 2 Sisters food processing plant in Coupar Angus.

Speaking alongside her at the briefing, John Swinney said he had concerns about the impact of university freshers' week on coronavirus levels.

The Scottish Education Secretary said that "this year is different, and it has to be pursued in a safer fashion."