THE decline in East Lothian’s coronavirus figures is continuing according to the latest data from Public Health Scotland, but sadly two additional deaths have been recorded this year so far.

The county continues to have the lowest figures in the Lothian healthboard area and the fifth lowest across the whole of Scotland.

Today (Wednesday), for the period between January 4 and 10, East Lothian recorded 130 positive cases of coronavirus and had a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population of 121.4.

This is lower than the 143 cases and seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 133.5 recorded yesterday (Tuesday).

By comparison, Edinburgh’s seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people is sitting at 201.7, Midlothian’s at 157.9 and West Lothian’s at 152.9; all are also a decrease compared to the figures announced yesterday.

Today’s figures are the lowest East Lothian has seen since Boxing Day (December 20-26), when 123 cases were recorded and the seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population was 114.9.

But sadly, two deaths in East Lothian have been recorded this year so far, one on January 4 and a second on January 6.

The places in the county that are areas of concern with a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people between 200 and 399 have decreased once again over the past 24 hours to three. Musselburgh West (11 cases), Musselburgh North (11 cases) and Haddington Rural (14 cases) remain on the list.

Cockenzie was on the areas of concern list yesterday but, due to a decrease in cases, has moved off the list and joins nine other places with a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people between 100 and 199.

On that list are: Wallyford/Whitecraig (11 cases), Pinkie Braes (four cases), Prestonpans West (eight cases), Prestonpans East (six cases), Tranent North (10 cases), Tranent South (eight cases), Ormiston (three cases), Cockenzie (10 cases), North Berwick South (five cases) and East Linton and Rural (seven cases).

Dunbar West, Dunbar East, North Berwick North, and Gullane and Drem continue to appear at the other end of the list, recording fewer than two cases each.

Haddington South was one of the places at the bottom of the list yesterday (Wednesday) but, due to an additional case, has moved up one place and now has a seven-day positive rate of 50-99. Joining it in that category are Longniddry and Aberlady, Haddington North, Musselburgh South and Musselburgh East.

Across Scotland as a whole today, 1,949 new cases were recorded, which represents 10.2 per cent of all tests carried out yesterday.

A total of 79 deaths were recorded among those who had previously tested positive.

The number of people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 increased by 77 over the past 24 hours to 1,794; 1,005 patients were admitted to hospital in the week up to January 7.

The number of people in intensive care increased by one to 134.

Also included in Scotland’s daily data is the number of people who have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

A total of 191,965 have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, an increase of 16,023 from yesterday. A total of 2,990 have received their second dose, an increase of 133 from yesterday.