TWO more lives have been lost to Covid in Argyll and Bute as government figures confirm the infection rate in the area is one of the highest in the country.

The latest deaths happened during the week to August 22 - and are the highest weekly death toll from Covid in Argyll and Bute since February.

Public Health Scotland said there were 436 confirmed positive Covid tests in Argyll and Bute in the seven days to August 21, a seven-day rate per 100,000 population of 510.4, a steep rise on last week's figure of 197.8.

That gives Argyll and Bute the sixth worst infection rate in Scotland.

Yesterday, August 24, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned during a live announcement that restrictions "could return" as new Covid cases more than doubled in the past week across Scotland.

Official statistics show that between Monday, August 16 and Sunday, August 22, Argyll and Bute recorded two deaths related to Covid-19.

It means that the number of people who have died from Covid in the local authority in 2021 is now 23.

The total number of Covid-related deaths recorded in the area is 109 from when the pandemic began last March.

Vaccination rates are currently very high in Argyll and Bute, with thousands of older residents 100 per cent vaccinated.

A total of 99.6 per cent of those aged 30-39 have had a first dose in Argyll and Bute with 70.9 per cent receiving their second.

Nationally, Scotland has recorded 41 coronavirus-related deaths in the past week, the same number as the previous week.

It means that as of Sunday, 10,505 deaths have now been registered in Scotland with Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.

The National Records of Scotland statistics are published weekly and cover all deaths registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

They differ from the lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths announced daily by the Scottish Government because the NRS figures include suspected or probable cases of Covid-19.