THE coronavirus death toll in East Renfrewshire has increased to 166, latest figures show.

According to data released today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), a further 11 people in the local area died with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 between December 21 and January 3.

In the week between December 21 and 27, six deaths were registered in East Renfrewshire.

Between December 28 and January 3, which are the latest statistics available, this fell slightly to five.

The NRS has also warned that, as there were fewer registrations than usual in these weeks due to public holidays, the reported death toll is likely to be lower than the actual number in this period.

Across Scotland as a whole, coronavirus has claimed the lives of 6,686 people, according to the NRS.

This total covers all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The NRS statistics differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government as they include suspected or probable cases of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a total of 113,459 people in Scotland had received their first Covid-19 vaccination as of Sunday.

That figure only encompasses those who have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with the Oxford/AstraZeneca inoculation being first used on Monday.

The Scottish Government is also halfway through vaccinating residents in the country's care homes, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

"We very much hope that the vaccine will very soon start to significantly reduce the risk of care home residents becoming ill with the virus," she added.

From next week, vaccination figures in Scotland will be published every weekday.

Ms Sturgeon has faced pressure from opposition politicians to ensure figures are regularly published.

A weekly publication by Public Health Scotland will also offer a more detailed breakdown of those who have been vaccinated.

"Vaccination ultimately is what will provide us with a route out of this pandemic, so we are absolutely determined to ensure that as many people as possible are vaccinated just as quickly as it is possible to do so," said the First Minister.