HARD-WORKING medical staff at a Renfrewshire hospital were given an ‘eggs-cellent’ treat for Easter.

Renfrewshire Council generously donated free Easter eggs to nurses and doctors at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, who were working throughout the holiday to combat Covid-19.

There are nearly 600 people in hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde suffering from coronavirus and more than 70 patients are in intensive care in hospitals across the health board area.

It comes as the total number of people with the virus soared to 1,575, according to the Scottish Government’s latest update at 2pm yesterday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed during her daily briefing that, across Scotland, an additional 40 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the country’s death toll to 615.

Meanwhile, the council has also thanked collection staff who are continuing to uplift refuse in the area despite Scotland’s lockdown.

They posted an update from team member Steven Halliday on Facebook yesterday, who revealed they had been inundated with gifts from locals.

He said: “We’ve had a brilliant response from residents, people leaving Easter eggs, chocolates and biscuits and notes and waving and smiling from the windows. It’s great to feel that people value what we’re doing at such a challenging time.

The Gazette: Refuse collector Steven Halliday thanked people for their kindnessRefuse collector Steven Halliday thanked people for their kindness

“We’ve made some changes, like social distancing and using fleet cars to follow the cabs so we’re not travelling together, but are able to work as normal – and we’re wearing our protective clothing.

“We got a lovely note of thanks from a gentleman who had dropped his wallet in a neighbourhood car park. The crew I was working with – Chris Glancy and Gary Campbell – spotted the wallet and made sure we got it back to him right away.”

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