Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland is not in the midst of a second coronavirus wave despite a recent spike in cases.
The First Minister said at the Scottish Government's briefing on Wednesday that the increase - from two daily cases in early July to 50 in the most recent figures - is a "spike in the first wave".
She added it is not clear if there will be a second wave of the virus.
Interim chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith agreed with the First Minister, explaining the increase in cases could be a result of localised clusters in Aberdeen and other parts of the country.
When asked about whether this is a second wave of the virus by the PA news agency, the First Minister said: "I think what we're seeing is a spike in the first wave.
"I think the scientific opinion is still out on whether this is a virus that will, like flu, follow a seasonal pattern so that in the autumn or winter we'll see a seasonal surge that may be what you would describe as a second wave or whether this is a virus that will simply consist of one long wave that will go up and down depending on the restrictions and compliance with the advice that we're giving."
The First Minister said she believes the increase in cases can be attributed to the easing of lockdown measures.
Localised outbreaks have occurred in recent weeks in Aberdeen - where lockdown measures have been reimposed and will not be removed for at least another week - and Coupar Angus, Perthshire, with smaller clusters in Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
Adding to the First Minister's remarks, Dr Smith said: "We're not experiencing a second wave at this time, in fact there's many epidemiologists and public health experts who don't even agree with the terminology that's used there.
"We do need to understand why the numbers have risen and certainly the evidence suggests that just now the increase in the numbers that we've seen over the last week or so is particularly driven by a number of clusters across the country.
"What we don't have any evidence for just now is of sustained community transmission across Scotland that would signify we could be at risk of moving into another rapidly increasing phase of cases."
He added Scots should ensure they remain "vigilant" to ensure cases of community transmission do not increase.
