The Glasgow Lighthouse testing lab is caught up in a backlog of coronavirus tests that has led to a lower number of positive cases reported, the First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the 70 new cases reported is likely to be an underestimate due to the UK wide backlog.

On Friday the number of positive cases was21 and on Sunday it was 224.

Ms Sturgeon said the vast bulk of testing is done through the UK wide network of test labs including the Glasgow Lighthouse lab.

Ms Sturgeon said the “reports recently of a backlog of test is result of increased demand".

She said it could be a result of the schools going back in England recently.

She said: “We are concerned over the weekend one of the ways the UK Government is trying to deal with it was to restrict tests.”

Ms Sturgeon said she hoped to have a further update on the testing and update the number of positive cases later today.

She said there were still seeking to find the actual number of tests that were done on Sunday.

The First Minister said the allocation of slots in done on a UK wide basis but Scotland was able to retain full allocation and there was no issue with accessing a testing slot.

Instead the backlog was in processing the tests.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We are suffering is a backlog in tests being processed leading to longer turnaround time.

“We do not  have a complete dataset to report today.”

“We do have a concern and we are escalating the discussions with the UK Government.

“We want to play our full part in fixing this and finding solutions.”