Easterhouse locals have expressed their surprise and confusion over the news that the area suffered a covid death rate 72% higher than for Scotland as whole.
The stark statistics were revealed in an independent report, conducted by JH Consulting, which aimed to measure the health and economic impact of the pandemic on Easterhouse.
It noted how Scotland’s communities with the highest poverty rates were disproportionately impacted, with the death rate in Easterhouse linked to the virus nearly three times higher than in Scotland’s other least deprived communities.
MP for Glasgow East David Linden said the report makes for "shocking reading" and believes that inequalities and poverty "compounded covid".
He said: "This report makes shocking reading and it’s clear that structural inequalities and pre-existing poverty compounded covid and the consequences of it.
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"I was glad to have established contact with both the Leader of Glasgow City Council and with the Easterhouse Housing and Regeneration Alliance and greatly welcome the subsequent funding that was announced at Glasgow City Council's recent budget.
"As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic we must have a recovery which puts communities first and which recognises the need for greater attention to be given to areas which have suffered disproportionately, particularly in Easterhouse."
In the wake of the report Glasgow Live spoke to locals outside The Lochs Shopping Centre to gauge their reaction.
Holly Stewart believed the statistics were "a bit shocking" and felt locals were as compliant as anyone else with the restrictions during the pandemic.
She said: "People were wearing masks, obviously you need to protect yourself. I got covid a couple of weeks ago."
The news left Arthur Steele questioning the statistics, and he pointed to another area that he heard was devastated by the pandemic.
He replied: "There's a question mark for me over that. That's the first time I've heard that. I just keep myself to myself. It was quiet during the pandemic. I heard Shettleston got a bad name during it, folk around 60 years of age dying. That's no age, especially in this day and age.
"We just have to always take precautions and obviously we will have to live with it through time. I think it will decrease."
John Watt called the statistics "crazy" and said he never thought it was "as bad as that" in the area.
He said: "Covid is going about here isn't it, but I never realised it was that bad here before. I didn't think it was as bad as that. A lot of people down my bit, all of us, we were all OK.
"My wee lassie got it, but she went to football and things like that and I think that's how she caught it. I've been lucky I've not had it."
Sharon Smith mirrored Arthur Steele's comments and said she wasn't sure about the statistics. She also believed that that the findings could have been symptomatic of the stigma attached to Easterhouse.
She said: "A lot of people had long term cancers and stuff and they were dying. Other than that I know there were a lot of people in Easterhouse that died of it but I wouldn't say it was more than everyone else.
"When it's always to do with health you always get the 'Shettleston man' and 'they only live to a certain age' and stuff and that. I work in Morrisons and I worked all through it and never got it.
"The stigma is always there about Easterhouse. 'Easterhouse is a rundown area' - it's not. 'Easterhouse has the highest crime rate' - it's not. It's always down to Easterhouse. It's just the name.
"I wouldn't believe it [but] if it's true then it's true."
Michelle Matheson added: "My wee boy got it and he was ill with it. My gran got and she's 70 and nothing happened with it. She was completely fine. My hairdresser died, she was only 32, then her sister-in-law died too. It just didn't make sense."
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde acknowledged the "added burden" Covid-19 has had on certain areas of Glasgow and said the findings of the report reaffirms the need to help reduce poverty in the city.
A spokesperson said: "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde understand the added burden of COVID-19 on particular groups in the city, including the residents of Easterhouse. We have worked hard to ensure that those most at risk from the pandemic have easy access to COVID testing and COVID vaccination, and we continue to encourage people to be vaccinated.
"This report continues to highlight the issues local people face and we extend our sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones through the pandemic. This work reflects yet again the need for us to work in partnership to reduce poverty and enable Easterhouse residents to be able to live in a flourishing community that better supports their health.
"We work closely with our community planning partners and continue to improve our local services, and are committed to continuing to do this."
