INVERCLYDE is heading in the right direction in the battle against coronavirus.

It was confirmed today that the district will stay under Level 3 restrictions, but figures revealed by the government show that the number of local cases is declining.

Test positivity rates are also falling, while the projections on NHS capacity - which are also taken into account in the setting of levels - is getting better.

The next review of Inverclyde's tier placing will be on December 1 and there are hopes the district could move up to Level 2, which would ease the current restrictions.

MSP Stuart McMillan says the picture is encouraging.

He said: "The data is promising and shows Inverclyde's situation is improving."

Current cases per 100k in Inverclyde, as at November 20, stand at 86.

This is markedly lower than the Scottish figure of 130 and a fall of 15 per cent from last week.

The First Minister said last week that the area could move to tier 2 if it continues to make progress.