CLYDEBANK is at threat of being moved into a higher tier of lockdown restrictions in an attempt to bring down levels of coronavirus infections, warns the First Minister.

During her statement to Holyrood on Tuesday (November 10), Nicola Sturgeon warned that close attention was being given to areas in West Dunbartonshire.

She listed West Dunbartonshire as giving a cause for concern because of the high number or the sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

The figures revealed that there is 176 new cases in the area per 100,000 population within the last seven days.

Read more: Every Scottish local authority's new lockdown level — and what it means for you

The First Minister told MSPs that in areas such as West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow that the number of coronavirus infections had "stabilised at a stubbornly high level".

In these areas she said that "the difficult question we must consider in the next days is whether more time in Level 3 will start to reduce cases in these areas, or whether that will require more action".

While she said the expert advice was that "an immediate move to Level 4 would not be merited" she said the area would be monitored closely "on a daily basis".

The First Minister said: "Given the severity of the Level 4 restrictions, we will not take a decision to move any part of the country to that level lightly.

"But nor will we shy away from it if we think it necessary to limit the damage the virus can do."

She added: "These are difficult decisions and the week ahead is a particularly crucial juncture."

A decision whether to move any or all of these areas into Level 4 will be announced by the First Minister in Holyrood next Tuesday with any changes taking place the following Friday.