THE Covid-19 infection rate in West Dunbartonshire has fallen over the past week, according to the latest figures.

The area held an extended period as one of the worst areas for Covid infections in Scotland, but now finds itself outside of the top 10 highest council areas.

But another two lives have been lost to the virus in the area in the weekly statistics.

The latest figures released by the National Records of Scotland cover the period from Monday, September 27 to Sunday, October 3.

The two deaths in the area follow from the four deaths the week before.

During the seven days to September October 3, there were 17 Covid-related deaths in Glasgow, 15 in Edinburgh, and 13 in South Ayrshire.

For the week to October 4, West Dunbartonshire had 312 confirmed positive Covid tests, giving a rate of 353.2 positive tests per 100,000 people.

By comparison, for the week to September 26, West Dunbartonshire's infection rate was 615.8 cases per 100,000 residents.

And for the week to September 19 the rate stood at 755.0 per 100,000 people.

The number of deaths in West Dunbartonshire in which Covid was mentioned on the death certificate now stands at 86 since the beginning of this year, and 264 since the start of the pandemic.