Two remote 'hotspots' in Scotland with highest Covid rates - see how your area compares

Two remote areas of Scotland are among the areas with the highest coronavirus infection rates, the latest data has shown.

Both the Orkney Islands and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) have reported a high numbers of cases in proportion to their population in the week between November 1 and 7.

The Orkney Islands recorded a seven-positivity rate of 700.9 per 100,000 population during that week, while the Western Isles recorded 588.7.

Clackmannanshire and East Ayrshire were two other areas identified as Covid hotspots, with infection rates that exceed 500 per 100,000 population.

It was feared that COP26 would have an immediate impact on case numbers in Glasgow.

But the same Scottish Government data shows that Glasgow has the second lowest infection rate of the local authority areas - with a seven-day rate of 220.7.

Only the Shetland Islands are below Scotland’s largest city, with a rate of 144.3.

The reason for Orkney and the Western Isles being current hotspot is because the data covers smaller areas, so if an area has a very small population even one positive infection can push up the cases per 100,000 significantly.

Yesterday, John Swinney hinted that new restrictions may have to be introduced as the NHS in Scotland currently “under intense pressure”.

During an address to MSPs, the Deputy First Minister said that Scotland is at a “precarious and unpredictable” stage of the fight against the virus.

An extension of the Covid vaccine passport scheme and an expansion of face covering rules are among the mitigations being considered by the Scottish Government.

Full list of Scotland's areas by Covid case rate

Here is the seven-day infection rate per 100,000 for every local authority area in Scotland for the week from November 1 to 7.

1. Orkney Islands 700.9
2. Clackmannanshire 600.5
3. Na h-Eileanan Siar 588.7
4. East Ayrshire 544.4
5. Angus 487.8
6. Dumfries and Galloway 469.4
7. Perth and Kinross 460.8
8. Stirling 435.8
9. Scottish Borders 434.7
10. Inverclyde 429.5
11. Argyll and Bute 407.4
12. Falkirk 399.2
13. Highland 395.0
14. North Lanarkshire 384.3
15. Fife 382.8
16. Moray 381.4
17. West Lothian 377.0
18. East Dunbartonshire 364.1
19. North Ayrshire 362.8
20. South Lanarkshire 360.8
21. South Ayrshire 360.3
22. Aberdeen City 342.3
23. East Renfrewshire 338.3
24. Aberdeenshire 334.4
25. West Dunbartonshire 331.7
26. East Lothian 327.2
27. Dundee City 309.8
28. Midlothian 299.5
29. Renfrewshire 274.8
30. City of Edinburgh 232.4
31. Glasgow City 220.7
32. Shetland Islands 144.3

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