Renfrewshire has recorded its worst week for Covid-19 deaths in more than four months.

Latest figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS), covering the week ending July 25, show the total number of fatalities in the area since the pandemic began more than a year ago has increased by four to 532.

The last time Renfrewshire suffered a higher weekly death toll was back in March, when seven lives were lost.

A total of 18 out of Scotland's 32 council areas recorded Covid deaths last week.

Glasgow was worst hit, with eight lives lost, while Dundee, Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire each recorded seven deaths.

The figures include all fatalities registered where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate and, as this includes suspected or probable cases, it differs from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government.

Across Scotland as a whole, the death toll increased to 10,324. There were 56 deaths last week – an increase of nine from the previous week.

Pete Whitehouse, director of statistical services at NRS, said: “Last week, there were more deaths involving Covid in people under 65 than people aged 85 or over, with 15 deaths of people aged between 45 and 64.”