SCOTLAND has recorded the 14 areas with the highest Covid case rates across all UK areas, according to the latest data.

The Covid-19 case rates update has Scotland recording 16 of the 20 highest spots with the data recording the seven days to September 12.

The rates are based on the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in either a lab-reported or rapid lateral flow test, by specimen date.

Data for the most recent four days (September 13-16) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

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West Dunbartonshire continues to have the highest rate across the UK, with 983 new cases in the seven days to September 12, the equivalent of 1112.7 per 100,000 people. This is down from 1213.5 in the seven days to September 5.

East Renfrewshire has the second-highest rate, down from 1087.9 to 968.1, with 930 new cases.

Inverclyde has the third-highest rate, down from 1,239.3 to 901.9, with 695 new cases.

The Orkney Islands also saw the highest week-on-week rise in case rates going from 89.3 cases per 100,000 to 245.5. However, Orkney still has the second-lowest case rate in Scotland according to the latest figures.

The area in Scotland with the lowest case rate was Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) 128.3 cases per 100,000, which is second from the bottom

The data release came as Scotland recorded another 26 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours among people who previously tested positive for the virus. It means the total toll under the daily measure has risen to 8319.

READ MORE: Scotland records another 26 Covid deaths as IT issue affects latest update

However, the latest case numbers have not been updated due to a “technical issue” which is also affecting the availability of data on tests, ICU admissions and vaccinations.

Public Health Scotland said: “Tomorrow’s update will include figures for today.”

Some 1054 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed Covid-19, a decrease of 25.