The number of people who have died from coronavirus in 2021 in West Dunbartonshire has reached 50, according to data from the National Records of Scotland published today.

The data showed that between February 22-28, eight people in West Dunbartonshire died where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The figure has stayed the same compared to the week prior, when eight people were also reported to have died.

In total, 9,580 deaths have been registered in Scotland where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the statistics.

However, the total number of Covid-related deaths recorded in West Dunbartonshire is 228 from when the pandemic began last March.

Across Scotland, the figures show 227 deaths relating to Covid-19 were registered between February 22 and 28, down 64 on the previous week.

Of these, the majority happened in hospital at 187, with 26 in care homes and 14 at home or in a non-institutional setting and one in another institution.

The statistics are published weekly and cover all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

They differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government because the NRS figures include suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.

This news comes after the First Minister's announcement yesterday where she said that lockdown easing may begin sooner if the data continues to be positive.