FIFE recorded the second highest number of deaths involving COVID-19 in Scotland last week, new statistics have revealed.

Only Glasgow City, where there were eight people passed away where the virus was mentioned on their death certificate, had a higher number.

In the latest week, from February 6 until February 12, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) recorded a total of 35 coronavirus-related deaths in Scotland.

Of these, 17 were female, 18 were male, 25 were aged 75 or older, five were aged between 65 and 74 and five were under 65.

In addition, 31 were in hospitals, three were in care homes, and one was at home or a non-institutional setting.

There were three deaths involving COVID-19 in Fife, which was one of the 20 council areas in Scotland to record at least one.

Julie Ramsay, NRS Statistician, said: "The latest figures show that last week there were 35 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

"This is five more than in the previous week.

"After a sharp rise in week 2 of 2023, deaths involving influenza have fallen for four consecutive weeks.

"There were 15 deaths where flu was mentioned in week 6, which is five fewer than in the previous week."

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,315, which is 43, or three per cent, more than the five year average for this time of year.

As of February 12, a total 16,780 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.