STAFF at the Royal Alexandra Hospital have made an impassioned plea to locals to take the coronavirus outbreak seriously. 

An image posted on social media by medics at the Paisley hospital with the message to stay at home has gone viral. 

It comes as the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) rose again yesterday as the Scottish death toll hit 16. 

READ MORE: Hundreds of staff told to come into work despite government ban

New figures released by the Scottish Government showed the health board’s numbers rose from 152 to 183 overnight.

The health board is responsible for care in Renfrewshire. 

In total 584 people had tested positive for the virus in Scotland as of 2pm on Tuesday, an increase of 85 from Monday.

According to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, there is now likely to be more than 2,500 people with coronavirus in Scotland.

Ms Freeman said: “For the number in intensive care you multiply it by 100. At the moment we have 25 in ICU, so that’s 2,500. That’s an under-estimate.”

The Gazette: Health Secretary Jeanne FreemanHealth Secretary Jeanne Freeman

To help NHS staff cope during the crisis, a Renfrewshire hotel is offering free rooms. 

The will will be available for health staff at the Bowfield Hotel and Country Club, in Howwood.

The Manorview Hotel and Leisure group, which runs Bowfield, has extended the generous offer to NHS workers who need to self-isolate away from family during the Covid-19 crisis.

Bosses took the decision after the hotel temporarily stopped trading earlier this month because of the pandemic.

Posting a message on Facebook, the owners said: “More than ever, we need to secure the health, safety and wellbeing of our NHS team.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Hundreds of twinkle-toed locals sign up for free dance classes

“They are on the front line, helping us all and saving lives.

“We are there for them. Some of our venues are being occupied by our NHS workers.

“Our rooms have been offered to NHS teams on the front line.”