Another life has been lost to Covid-19 in East Renfrewshire, latest figures show.

Data released by National Records of Scotland, covering the week ending January 9, has revealed the total number of fatalities in the area since the pandemic began 22 months ago has increased to 254.

East Renfrewshire had previously gone a fortnight without a coronavirus death, although two had been recorded in the week ending December 19.

A total of 25 out of Scotland’s 32 council areas had at least one Covid death in the latest weekly figures.

Fife was worst hit, with 10 deaths recorded, followed by Edinburgh (eight) and Glasgow (seven).

The figures include all fatalities registered where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate and, as this includes suspected or probable cases, it differs from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government.

Across Scotland as a whole, the death toll increased by 72 in the weekly figures, pushing it up to 12,543.

A total of 12 of those who lost their life were aged under 65, while a further 12 were aged between 65 and 74 and there were 48 deaths involving people aged 75 or over.

Of the 72 deaths recorded, 49 took place in hospitals, while 18 were in care homes and five were at home or in a non-institutional setting.