One more than Covid-19 related death was recorded in West Dunbartonshire in the past week.

According to National Records for Scotland figures, published today, the area registered one additional Covid linked death in the week ending July 5.

The death was registered in a hospital setting, and takes the total number of fatalities linked to the conditional locally to 124. Of those 59 have been in care homes, 60 in hospitals and five in a residential setting.

In figures covering the previous week there was also one death recorded in the locality.

There was further positive news for Argyll and Bute as it once again recorded no deaths over the seven day period covered by the statistics, with the total number of lives lost linked to the condition there remaining at 64.

Nationwide Scotland reported its lowest number of weekly Covid related deaths since lockdown was introduced, was 17 registered. The figure peaked at 661 in April.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We can take comfort in the trend of recent weeks, but every single death is a tragedy.

“Today’s report shows that by Sunday, the total number of registered deaths with either a confirmed or a presumed link to the virus was 4,173.

“The total number of deaths recorded last week from all causes was 40 below the five-year average for the same time of year, and this is the second week in a row that the total number of deaths has been below that five-year average.”

The First Minister also confirmed that changes could be introduced from the end of this week as the country moves towards leaving lockdown.

She continued: “I hope to confirm tomorrow that Scotland can move to phase three of our route map out of lockdown.”

Changes for those in the shielding group have also been announced by cabinet secretary for health, Jeane Freeman.

From July 10, those in the shielding group no longer have to physically distance from those they live with and are able to partner exclusively with another household - if they live alone or solely with children under the age of 18.

Shielders are also allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation or second homes and can meet two other households outside, although the Scottish Government is urging people not to meet with more than two households in a single day.