HEALTH chiefs have vowed to support an investigation into more than 70 deaths at the Royal Alexandra Hospital linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

A special Crown Office unit set up to probe Covid-linked fatalities is considering a total of 827 cases in hospitals across Scotland.

The unit was tasked with considering the circumstances of virus deaths such as those in care homes but the prosecution service has also received reports of numerous hospital-related fatalities.

A total of 71 such deaths at Paisley’s RAH, which treats patients from across Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and beyond, are being investigated by the unit.

Prosecutors will decide if these should be the subject of a fatal accident inquiry or even prosecution.

Bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have pledged their co-operation.

Dr Scott Davidson, NHSGGC deputy medical director, said: “I want to offer my most sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one during the pandemic.

“People continue to die from this dreadful virus and every death it brings is a tragedy.

“We will, of course, continue to support investigations into these deaths.

“As Scotland’s largest health board area, just under a third of all Covid infections have been recorded within Greater Glasgow and Clyde and, as a result, our largest hospitals have, unfortunately, also seen the highest number of people to sadly die after being infected with Covid-19.”

A Scottish Government spokesman added: “We express our sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones.

“Saving people’s lives has been and continues to be the priority of the Scottish Government throughout the pandemic and it would clearly be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing Crown Office investigation.”