MORE than 10 classes at schools across East Lothian were learning from home today.

Schools opened their doors following the festive break but staff shortages, due to Covid-19, meant some classrooms were empty.

Wallyford Primary School and Pencaitland Primary School were among schools with classes that did not return in person, while a class at Ross High School ASN base was also learning remotely from home.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The majority of our schools have returned to in-person teaching.

“However, due to the impacts of teaching staff self-isolating, a number of pupils are temporarily learning at home.

“This mainly affects children in primary school and a small number of our specialist communication bases.

“All of our schools have contingency plans in place so they can make the move to remote learning quickly and are grateful for the support of their families. Support has been given to families throughout earlier lockdowns and in any subsequent temporary periods of remote learning to ensure all learners have the equipment they need to access materials.

“The challenges caused by COVID-19 continue to be significant.

“It is important that everyone plays their part and follows the important measures that will limit the spread of COVID-19 in society so that essential services, including education, health and social care, can continue to operate.”

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the self-isolation period for people with Covid-19 in Scotland has been cut from ten to seven days, in a move following the approach of other devolved nations.

The First Minister concluded her first Covid announcement of the new year by saying: “This phase of the pandemic is possibly the most challenging so far.

“The most infectious variant so far is creating a volume of cases that, notwithstanding its possibly reduced severity, still has the potential to overwhelm us.

“And two years in, the kind of measures that have helped us control transmission in past phases are becoming less tolerable and causing more harm.”

This comes as East Lothian hits a record high number of Covid figures.

Between December 27 2021 and January 2 2022, 1,830 cases of the virus were recorded, giving a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 1696.

The county’s rate remains the lowest in the Lothians – Midlothian’s current seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people is 1,935.6, West Lothian’s 2,141.2 and Edinburgh’s 1,867.6.

In the county, Wallyford/Whitecraig recorded the most cases in the last seven days (155), giving it a seven-day rate of 2,171.8.

Listed below is a breakdown of case numbers in each part of East Lothian:

• Tranent North – 153 cases, seven-day rate 2,176.1

• Tranent South – 144 cases, seven-day rate 2,395.6

• Prestonpans West – 123 cases, seven-day rate 2,204.7

• Dunbar West – 100 cases, seven-day rate 1,774

• Haddington Rural – 99 cases, seven-day rate 1,477.6

• Cockenzie – 92 cases, seven-day rate 1,633.5

• Haddington South – 88 cases, seven-day rate 1,856.9

• Haddington North – 87 cases, seven-day rate 1,955.9

• Prestonpans East – 86 cases, seven-day rate 2,043.2

• Musselburgh South – 83 cases, seven-day rate 1,844.4

• Musselburgh East – 71 cases, seven-day rate 1,522

• Longniddry and Aberlady – 71 cases, seven-day rate 1,241.7

• Gullane and Drem – 67 cases, seven-day rate 1,472.2

• North Berwick South – 67 cases, seven-day rate 1,366.5

• Musselburgh North – 65 cases, seven-day rate 1,372.8

• East Linton and rural – 62 cases, seven-day rate 1,099.5

• Ormiston – 52 cases, seven-day rate 1,706

• Musselburgh West – 50 cases, seven-day rate 1,701.3

• Dunbar East – 44 cases, seven-day rate 962

• North Berwick North – 36 cases, seven-day rate 1,138.5

• Pinkie Braes – 35 cases, seven-day rate 1,493.8

East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington also confirmed the closure of its vaccination centre this week, with residents now redirected to the Haddington Corn Exchange or Musselburgh Primary Care Centre for appointments.

Drop-in appointments are only available at Haddington Corn Exchange.

All individuals with a scheduled appointment at East Lothian Community Hospital should have been notified.

East Lothian vaccination levels are continuing to increase, with 63,680 residents or 74.1 per cent receiving a third dose or booster coronavirus vaccine.

As of today, 83,511 people over the age of 18 have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

This equals 97.1 per cent of the population.

A total of 80,797 people have received their second dose, or 94 per cent of the population.