THREE Inverclyde politicians have joined forces to demand the area receives extra help from the Scottish Government after figures exposed its startling Covid-19 death.

Startling statistics have revealed the coronavirus death rate in Inverclyde stands at 13 per 10,000 of the population while the Scottish average is significantly less at five per 10,000.

Now MP Ronnie Cowan, MSP Stuart McMillan and Councillor Chris McEleny have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ask if the area can be treated as a 'special case' and receive further practical and financial support to boost the response effort.

Mr Cowan said: “Together, we are asking the Scottish Government to treat Inverclyde as a special case and to supply the area with additional funds to assist the effort against coronavirus.

“This may involve testing and tracing, or supplying more PPE [personal protective equipment] to a wider range of workers or additional cleaning of common areas.

“Experts should be engaged to decide on what is the best course of action for our unique situation and we believe no stone must remain unturned.”

In a report presented to elected members, council bosses said health and socio-economic inequalities, alongside Inverclyde having an older population, may be reasons behind why the area has experienced such a shocking death rate.

The latest data from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows 99 people in the district have died from the deadly disease.

Council officers have said they are also concerned about a spike in the number of deaths where the virus is not identified as a contributory factor.

In Inverclyde, it is estimated for the five weeks ending April 26, overall deaths were 135 per cent higher than the five-year average for the same period.

Excluding the 93 coronavirus-related deaths, the figure is still 46 per cent higher than the five-year average.

However, council officers have suggested Inverclyde may have passed the peak of Covid-19.

Mr McMillan said: “The Scottish Government has worked tirelessly to keep the whole country as safe and secure as possible, but with the last two sets of data confirming a higher than average death rate [in Inverclyde], it’s clear additional actions and support are required.”

The government says it is committed to tackling the increased financial hardship many will now face as a result of COVID-19.

A spokesperson said: "We are providing a range of benefits for people on low incomes and those who are struggling the most, which provide a higher level of support than the equivalent DWP benefits, and to a wider range of people.

“In addition we have committed £350 million of additional funding to support councils, charities and others help people most at risk during the pandemic.

"That package includes an additional £45 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund £22 million of that has already been distributed, bringing Inverclyde Council’s allocation to £1.278 million for 2020-21 so far.

"We have also provided £749,000 in hardship funding and £565,000 from the Food Fund. Our Food Fund provides locally coordinated responses to food insecurity including supporting over 150,000 children to access Free School Meals across Scotland."