NHS Fife has announced it has had to make temporary changes to community hospital visiting after a "sharp rise" in the number of inpatient wards affected by COVID-19.

A statement released by the health board said essential visits only will be allowed at its community hospitals which include the Queen Margaret Hospital and Lynebank Hospital.

"While transmission of the virus is particularly high, it has been necessary that we temporarily restrict visiting in our community hospitals to essential visits only," said the statement.

"This position will remain under continual review and restrictions will be eased as soon as it is safe to do so."

The hospitals affected are Adamson Hospital, Cameron Hospital, Glenrothes Hospital, Lynebank Hospital, Queen Margaret Hospital, St Andrews Community Hospital, Stratheden Hospital and Whyteman's Brae Hospital.

Visiting arrangements at the Victoria Hospital remain unchanged.

NHS Fife say there are a small number of exemptions to these restrictions, including some patients cared for in mental health and learning disability units and those receiving end-of-life care.

For more information, go to www.nhsfife.org/visiting.