Health chiefs have expressed their sympathies to all those who have lost a loved one after East Renfrewshire's 300th Covid fatality was recorded

Latest figures released by National Records of Scotland (NRS), covering the week ending July 17, reveal there have been a further three coronavirus deaths in the local area.

This takes the total number of lives lost to Covid-19 in East Renfrewshire since the pandemic began more than two years ago to exactly 300.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, told the Barrhead News: “Two years and four months on since the first lockdown, the virus is still very much with us.

“The latest figures in East Renfrewshire are a harsh reminder that we must continue to be vigilant.

“You should open windows to keep fresh air circulating, wear a mask on public transport and in indoor public areas, including healthcare environments, wash your hands regularly and, if you think you might have Covid-19, stay at home until you feel better.

“If you do test positive, you should isolate at home for five days.

“By following these simple guidelines and ensuring you’ve had the vaccine, including a booster, we can help minimise the transmission of Covid-19 in our communities and, in the end, less people will lose their lives to the virus.”

East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald also expressed her sadness at Covid’s tragic impact on local residents.

She said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives during the pandemic.

“Reaching this milestone is a sad reminder that Covid-19 is still a threat we must treat seriously.

“The level of protection from Covid vaccines may reduce over time. NHS Scotland has offered a spring booster vaccine to vulnerable groups and plans are in place for an autumn booster.

“I would encourage anyone who is eligible to take up the vaccine when offered and to follow the rules on isolation if they test positive or have symptoms and to avoid people at high risk.”

Across Scotland as a whole, 27 of the 32 council areas had at least one fatality involving Covid in the latest weekly figures as the death toll rose by 82, pushing the overall total up to 15,179.

The worst-hit council areas were Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife, each of which had eight deaths.

The figures differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths issued twice a week by Public Health Scotland, as the NRS statistics include suspected or probable cases of Covid.

According to the NRS data, 93 per cent of those across Scotland whose deaths involved Covid-19 between March 2020 and June this year had at least one pre-existing condition.

Just under one quarter of them had dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which was the most common main pre-existing condition.