CLYDEBANK Central and Clydebank Waterfront have both placed in the top 10 communities across the country most at risk to the transmission of coronavirus.

The report, which is led by Scottish think tank Scotianomics, ranks all of Scotland’s council wards for risk of Covid-19 transmission and the potential for fatalities. The figures have been calculated using multiple sets of data including existing Covid-19 cases, population density, how close residents are to essential services, the amount of rail passengers, frequency of road travel, total population, existing health issues and community age structure.

And the results have found Clydebank Central placing sixth and Clydebank Waterfront eighth out of 354 council wards most at risk to coronavirus exposure.

Inverclyde and Glasgow regions were found to be the most at risk in Scotland.

West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said: “It is very worrying that these two areas in Clydebank rank so high in areas at risk of exposure to Covid-19.

“The figures highlight the varying challenges faced by our communities across not only West Dunbartonshire, but Scotland and it provides authorities with the required information they need to focus resources as best as they can to combat the spread of this virus.

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“These figures must act as a warning that people in West Dunbartonshire must continue to abide by government guidance to protect themselves, their family members and friends.”

Clydebank Central Labour councillor John Mooney, added: “I am very concerned about these figures. However, I am afraid that I am not surprised. Covid-19 is affecting deprived communities to a significantly greater extent.

“People in Clydebank Central are also, unfortunately, more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions which predispose them to more severe symptoms.”

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, founding director of Scotianomics in Glasgow, said: “The public and business reaction to coronavirus is highly-charged and often emotional. We believe this geographic breakdown can help the national response to provide clear analysis of existing data.

“What is evident is that, for a wide variety of reasons, the risks vary hugely in different communities across Scotland. In terms of both the economy and health and well-being, we believe it makes sense to ease the lockdown according to those regional differences.

“This is nothing to do with the number of cases in an area or how well people in each area have observed the lockdown. It is not a map of Covid-19 cases across Scotland but of the areas most at risk of community infection.”