The number of people who died from Covid in Ayrshire last week was the most since March, new statistics reveal.

The National Records of Scotland data published earlier today reveals that 14 people died in Ayrshire where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate between September 13-19.

That's an increase from four the previous week and is the highest weekly total since the week beginning March 1, six months ago.

Five people died in East Ayrshire, six in North Ayrshire, and three in South Ayrshire.

As of September 19, 10,826 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the NRS statistics.

Between September 13-19, 135 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, 57 more than the previous week. 

24 deaths were of people aged under 65, 37 were people aged 65-74 and there were 74 deaths of people aged 75 or over. 79 deaths were male, 56 were female.

Glasgow City (22 deaths), North Lanarkshire (12 deaths) and City of Edinburgh (9 deaths) had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 26 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,257 - 249, or 25 per cent, more than the five year average. 

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “The latest figures show that last week there were 135 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

"This is 57 more deaths than last week, and represents the highest weekly total we have seen since early March.”

“Deaths from all causes were 25 per cent higher than the five year average. There has been a sustained period of excess deaths, with registered deaths above the five year average in each week since week 21 (May 24-30).”