THE latest data from Public Health Scotland shows that the number of coronavirus cases in West Dunbartonshire is falling.

According to daily updates published online, parts of Balloch and Dumbarton continue to show the highest case numbers for the whole of the area.

However, case numbers remain low, and the rate per 100,000 of population is average in comparison to other parts of Scotland and for the country as a whole.

The latest update, published on Tuesday, was the first in four days; due to Christmas and the bank holiday on Monday, there have been no figures published apart from the number of confirmed cases in Scotland overall.

Between December 16 and 22, West Dunbartonshire recorded 129 cases and had a seven-day positive rate of 145.1 cases per 100,000 of population.

The week before Christmas Day (December 18-24), there had been 125 cases and a seven-day rate of 140.6.

In the figures released on Tuesday, covering the period between December 20 and 26, West Dunbartonshire recorded 111 positive cases and had a seven-day positive rate of 124.8.

By comparison, Argyll & Bute’s seven-day rate for the week to December 26 is 51.2, Glasgow’s is 170.0, and East Dunbartonshire’s 126.1.

For the week to December 26, 10 cases were reported in the Balloch area, the same number as the Dumbarton area.

Five cases were recorded in the Bonhill area, while Bowling, Leven and Dalreoch area’s recorded four cases. Dumbarton East and Lomond recorded three.

The Scottish Government has issued a warning over the latest data and has urged people with symptoms to get tested, as testing centres remain open as normal throughout New Year.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We should be extremely cautious about drawing conclusions from the data over the festive period.

“There were significantly fewer tests carried out over this period, with more tests on December 23 than December 24-26 combined.

“It is likely that fewer people with milder symptoms came forward for testing over the festive period, making analysis of trends difficult.

“We would urge the public not to delay getting tested over the holiday period if they have symptoms.”

To view the latest Public Health Scotland data for the country, and for council areas and individual local neighbourhoods, click here.

The Scottish Ambulance Service’s mobile Covid-19 testing unit continues its visits to Dumbarton over the New Year holiday.

The walk-through testing facility currently operates out of the Napier Hall site in Old Kilpatrick.

Testing is for people experiencing new coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new or persistent cough, or a change in ability to taste or smell.

Tests can be booked online by clicking here - those who can’t book online should call 0800 028 2816. A test should be carried out within five days of your symptoms first appearing.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people not to visit other people’s homes and mix indoors, especially over Hogmanay and New Year, calling it “especially vital”.

She also said that cases of Covid-19 were rising in Scotland once again.

Ms Sturgeon is expected to give a special update to Parliament on Wednesday afternoon (today) from 3.15pm. MSPs will discuss if there are to be any changes to the current rules.