Latest Covid infection rates for every council area as…

Latest Covid infection rates for every council area as Public Health Scotland announce 2,627 new cases

A further 2,627 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours – with the disease claiming another 16 lives.

Latest data published by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland shows there are 957 Covid patients in Scottish hospitals – down 23 from yesterday.

The number of people battling the virus in ICUs across the nation is 64 – down five over the same period.

There remains 128 Covid patients in Ayrshire hospitals while eight people are being treated for the disease in intensive care.

The new fatalities mean Scotland's death toll now stands at 8,773.

However, 11,134 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to Sunday, October 3.

In terms of Public Health Scotland's rolling seven-day infection rate per 100,000 population, West Lothian has the highest rate in the country – at 451 as of Thursday, October 7.

Dundee City has the second-highest infection rate at 405.9 while Falkirk is third with 395.5.

In terms of Ayrshire's local authorities, East Ayrshire has the highest rate of 367.6 North Ayrshire is next with 321 while South Ayrshire's rate sits at 257.7.

A total of 207 new cases have been reported in Ayrshire in the last 24 hours. Broken down, 100 were in East Ayrshire, 79 in North Ayrshire and 28 in South Ayrshire.