Renfrewshire families have been warned to adhere to coronavirus restrictions or face entering a level four lockdown.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Renfrewshire was one of a handful of local authority areas that had been giving her cause for concern following a spike in new cases.
Speaking at Holyrood this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon said the next week would be “crucial” for the region.
She said: “There are some areas in level three where we are seeing a sharp rise in cases.
“We are particularly concerned just now about Inverclyde and Stirling and, to a lesser extent, South Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.
“Given the severity of level four restrictions, we will not move any part of the country to that level lightly.
“But nor will we shy away from it, if we think it’s necessary to limit the damage the virus can do.
“These are difficult decisions and the week ahead is a particularly crucial juncture.”
The announcement comes days after the Express revealed that 12 people from Renfrewshire had died of covid in the two weeks to November 1.
Three of the deaths took place in care homes.
The current death toll for Renfrewshire now stands at 223.
In the week to November 1, 412 people in the local authority area tested positive for the virus.
The First Minister added: “The best chance we all have of avoiding a move to level four, or indeed of moving our area down a level, is to stick with it and abide by the current restrictions.
“I know fatigue is setting in, but I appeal to everyone - please redouble your efforts in the days ahead.
“We know, and we can show, that all of these hard sacrifices make a difference.”
