THE picture is worsening in East Lothian as the latest coronavirus figures show an increase once again, with the county’s seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population remaining the second highest in Scotland.
The latest figures published by Public Health Scotland show today (Tuesday) that for the period between December 13 and 19, 193 cases were recorded with the seven-day rate sitting at 180.2.
This is an increase once again compared to the figures released yesterday.
SEE MORE: December 21 coronavirus update: East Lothian figures second highest in Scotland
This month so far more than 10 cases have been recorded every day, with peaks of 33 on December 14 and 38 on December 15. No deaths have been recorded since November 28.
North Ayrshire currently remains the only other local authority area in Scotland with a seven-day positive rate higher than that of East Lothian; its rate has slightly decreased from yesterday to 201.9.
In the Lothian healthboard area by comparison, Edinburgh’s seven-day positive rate is sitting at 124.8, Midlothian’s at 140.6 and West Lothian’s at 102.1.
In East Lothian, infection rates remain high in the west of the county, with all of the areas of concern being found there.
Prestonpans East is no longer in the top level of infection rates but remains one of the nine areas of concern, all with a seven-day rate between 200 and 399.
These nine areas are: Musselburgh East (12 cases), Musselburgh South (12 cases), Prestonpans West (14 cases), Prestonpans East (17 cases), Tranent North (15 cases), Tranent South (18 cases), Wallyford/Whitecraig (16 cases), Ormiston (seven cases) and Cockenzie (12 cases).
The number of areas with seven-day rates between 100 and 199 has also increased over the past 24 hours, with the figures of only three areas in the county falling below this figure.
The list includes Musselburgh North (eight cases), Musselburgh West (five cases), Longniddry and Aberlady (eight cases), Gullane and Drem (five cases), Haddington South (six cases), Haddington Rural (nine cases), North Berwick North (five cases), North Berwick South (five cases), East Linton and Rural (seven cases) and Dunbar West (eight cases).
By comparison Pinkie Braes, Dunbar East and Haddington North recorded much fewer cases, with all recording a couple of cases each.
This time last month (November 13-19), the picture in East Lothian was drastically different and more than three times lower, 58 cases were recorded and the seven-day figure was sitting at 54.2.
Across Scotland today, 1,316 cases were recorded as were 43 deaths among those who had previously tested positive.
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