Renfrewshire has recorded its deadliest week of the Covid-19 pandemic since April as hospital numbers remain “significantly” high.
A total of 26 people died in the local authority area between February 7 and 14.
It is the highest death toll of the second wave of the pandemic and brings the number of fatalities to 449 by mid February.
It means more people have now died in the second wave of the pandemic in Renfrewshire than the first, when 216 deaths were recorded.
The figures were revealed by Public Health Scotland as the Express learns 134 people are still receiving treatment for Covid-19 at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra
Hospital.
They account for 16 per cent of all covid inpatients in Scotland.
The vast majority of them were admitted in January when the new Covid-19 variant saw covid cases rocket in Renfrewshire.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We would like to express our condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives during this pandemic.
“While numbers are declining, we continue to manage significant numbers of Covid-19 positive patients at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“Today, we have 134 covid patients in the hospital, including 45 with a positive diagnosis within the past 28 days.”
As revealed by the Express last week, health bosses have identified a number of covid clusters in the local authority area in recent weeks.
They are working hard to understand what is behind outbreaks in areas such as Gallowhill and Johnstone
South.
The incidents have brought the rate of covid infection across Renfrewshire to 132 cases per 100,000 of the population.
In the week to February 25, 269 people tested positive for the
virus.
The NHS spokesman added: “Renfrewshire, along with other areas in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has experienced a number of covid clusters recently and our public health teams are working hard to establish trends and support local communities through contact tracing.
“These clusters may be down to a range of factors such as a workplace outbreak or community transmission.
“To help stop the spread of the virus, a number of asymptomatic testing facilities are being rolled out across the health board area this week.
“In Renfrewshire, there is one mobile testing unit currently in operation in Gallowhill in Paisley. We would encourage everybody who has access to one of these centres to get a test.”
He added: “In the meantime, the best ways to reduce the risk of Covid-19 is to receive your vaccination when you are invited to do so and follow the guidance – wear a face covering, remember to socially distance, maintain good hand hygiene and if you do have symptoms, self-isolate and book a covid test via NHS Inform.”
