The latest data from Public Health Scotland shows that Renfrewshire remains one of the worst Covid hotspots in Scotland as cases soar.

Today's update of local case numbers is the first of the new year and shows that for the seven days up to and including January 2, 743 people tested positive for the virus across the local authority.

This is compared to the previous week-long period of December 20 to December 26, when the number of positive tested cases was 339.

As a result, Renfrewshire’s rate of positive cases per 100,000 of population, a key indicator used by the government for deciding on lockdown restrictions, has increased dramatically from 189.3 to 414.9.

Out of 32 local authorities, Renfrewshire’s rate per 100,000 is the fourth highest rate in Scotland.

It is surpassed only by the rates in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Inverclyde and is significantly higher than the Scottish rate of 279.7.

The seven-day test positivity rate, another measure, which calculates the percentage of people positive from the number of tests carried out, has jumped from 7.4% to 13.9% when comparing the same two week-long periods.

Within Renfrewshire, no less than 22 neighbourhoods have a rate per 100,000 greater than 400, shown by the darkest shade of purple on the map.

These are Elderslie and Phoenix; Erskine Central; Johnstone North East; Johnstone South West; Linwood North; Paisley East; Paisley Ferguslie; Paisley Foxbar; Paisley Gallowhill and Hillington; Paisley Glenburn East; Paisley Glenburn West; Paisley North; Paisley Ralston; Paisley South; Paisley South East; Paisley South West; Paisley West; Renfrew East; Renfrew North; Renfrew South; Renfrewshire Rural North and Langbank; and Renfrewshire Rural South and Howwood.

Fifteen other neighbourhoods, meanwhile, have a rate of 200 to 399 cases per 100,000 of population, shown as the second darkest shade of purple.

These are Bishopton; Bridge of Weir; Erskine East and Inchinnan; Erskine West; Houston North; Houston South; Johnstone North West; Johnstone South East; Kilbarchan; Lochwinnoch; Paisley Central; Paisley Dykebar; Paisley North East; Paisley North West; and Renfrew West.

Linwood South has a rate of between 100 and 199 per 100,000 of population, the lowest in the local authority area.