Covid cases rose last week

Coronavirus cases in Lanarkshire increased in the first week after the majority of restrictions were lifted.

The Scottish Government confirmed on Monday there had been another 279 cases recorded in the county the previous day (Sunday, August 15).

As a result, there were 1632 positive tests in the region last week – up 13.5 per cent on the previous week.

It was the second consecutive week in which case numbers have increased in the region and the eighth in a row in which more than 1000 positive tests have been recorded.

On Monday, August 9, the Scottish Government lifted the majority of the remaining coronavirus regulations.

Last week, Lanarkshire had the second highest rate of new cases in Scotland after 229.6 cases were recorded for every 100,000 residents in the county.

Across Scotland, only Dumfries and Galloway (251.5) had a higher rate while the national average was 172.6 cases per 100,000.

However, the number of Covid-19 related deaths announced in Lanarkshire over the last week was three – lower than in recent weeks.

In July, 32 people in Lanarkshire died from coronavirus – the most since March. So far in August, a further eight deaths have been recorded.

In total, 58,774 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Lanarkshire and 1380 people have died from the virus.

Lanarkshire has been the worst affected region in Scotland by coronavirus with 8,878.8 cases and 208.5 deaths for every 100,000 residents.

Across the region, 491,381 people – 92.8 per cent of the adult population – have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccination and 434,539 of them – 82 per cent of the adult population – have received both doses.