UPDATE 1-Denmark widens coronavirus lockdown measures after registering record daily infections

(Adds statement by health minister, details,)

COPENHAGEN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Denmark will expand tighter lockdown measures currently in place to cover almost 80% of the population after the country registered its highest number of new daily infections.

"There is widespread infection throughout society and incipient pressure on the hospital system," Health Minister Magnus Heunicke told reporters on Thursday, adding a further rise in infections in the coming days is expected.

On Monday, the government announced a partial shutdown of 38 municipalities, including the capital Copenhagen, after seeing signs of a rapid rise in infections, resulting in the closure of bars, restaurants and museums.

A total of 69 municipalities will now face tighter lockdown measures as of Friday, covering almost 80% of the population.

In the last 24 hours, 3,132 new infections have been registered, a record for Denmark during the epidemic. That also coincides with a record number of tests performed, more than 110,000.

(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard Additional reporting by Tim Barsoe Editing by Alison Williams and Frances Kerry)