New data shows Covid infections are on the increase in Scotland as Renfrewshire lags behind slightly on vaccine uptake.

The Office of National Statistics made the revelation as global concern continues to grow over the new Omicron strain, first seen in South Africa.

But despite figures showing a dwindling number of cases in Renfrewshire, the area is also lagging behind in the vaccine stakes.

It comes as Tory MSP Russell Findlay told the Express: "Around 75 per cent of Covid patients being treated in ICU have chosen not to be vaccinated.

"The so-called ‘anti-vax’ movement flourishes online. The spread of misinformation is reckless and reprehensible. Conspiracy theories kill."

Figures until December 2 show that 61.2 per cent of those aged 50 plus have had their jabs, including the third booster dose.

The figure contrasts with table-toppers the Shetland Islands on 81.4 per cent and areas like Dundee City on 71.1 per cent and Clackmannanshire on 72.6 per cent and Argyll and Bute on 75.7 per cent.

In East Renfrewshire, the figure stands at 62.9 per cent.

Some 90.8 per cent of those aged 12 or over have had their first dose of the vaccine in Renfrewshire, with the figure at 94.9 per cent in East Renfrewshire.

Meanwhile, 83 per cent of Renfrewshire residents aged 12 and over have received two jabs, with the figure rising to 88.9 per cent of over 18s.

In East Renfrewshire, 86.5 per cent of locals aged 12 and over have had two vaccinations, while the figure increases to 94.7 per cent for over 18s.

Figures for double-jabbed over 50s sit at 97.9 per cent in Renfrewshire and 98.6 per cent in East Renfrewshire.

The ONS say that the percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Scotland continued to increase in the week ending November 27, with an estimated 83,300 people having Covid - around one in every 65 Scots.

Infections also increased south-of-the-border and in Northern Ireland, with Wales bucking the trend in an "uncertain" forecast.

Sarah Crofts, Head of Analytical Outputs for the COVID-19 Infection Survey, which informs ONS figures, said: "Latest data show infections have increased in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the most recent week. The trend is uncertain in Wales.
"We have not yet identified any infections compatible with the new Omicron variant in our survey. The Delta variant remains the most common across the UK."

She added: "We will continue to monitor for different variants among our survey participants as part of our work tracking the virus."

The analysis, based on 568,175 tests carried out in the UK over the past six weeks shows that the Delta variant makes up 99 per cent of the toll.

Figures show the highest peak in Renfrewshire cases came on September 1 this year, when 362 positive cases were recorded - up from the previous high of 337 in August.

On November 30, the number of positive cases recorded stood at 72.

In East Renfrewshire, a similar high was recorded with 185 positive cases on September 6, while 34 were recorded on November 30.

But NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Director of Public Health, Dr Linda De Caestecker has reminded the public to be vigilant in the face of renewed threat from the Omicron variant, saying: "While more time is needed to help us better understand the Omicron variant, the single best way to minimise the spread of this potentially more transmissible variant, is to follow the existing guidance already in place which has been effective in protecting us so far."

She said increased Lateral Flow testing is essential to remain on guard against the spread and added: "Although we need to understand how effective the vaccine is against the new variant, we know it is extremely effective against existing variants which make up the overwhelming majority of new COVID-19 cases. This includes both minimising transmission and the severity of the illness."