CASES are rising locally and NHS Lothian is putting out pleas to residents in East Lothian to observe guidance relating to coronavirus.

Remember hand washing is still vital and you should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Face coverings should be worn in shops, on public transport and premises such as railway stations, bus stations and airports, and in other indoor public places such as restaurants (when not seated), libraries and places of worship.

Activities like pub crawls, house parties and big meet-ups at the park or the beach should not be happening at this time.

If you experience a high fever, persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, you must self-isolate and order a Covid test through the NHS inform website.

Scammers are trying to trick Scots into paying for Covid-19 contact tracing by claiming to be part of NHS Test and Protect and asking for bank details.

If you have any concerns, report them to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or at consumeradvice.scot

Meanwhile, the local organisation ‘MYPAS’, which works across East Lothian and Midlothian, has been awarded a grant of £67,851 by BBC Children in Need’s Next Steps fund.

The organisation helps young people aged 12 to 21 deal with issues such as mental health and drug and alcohol use, and this funding will be used to fund a full-time counsellor who will help young people who have been adversely mentally affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

I would like to thank MYPAS for the positive impact that they have locally, and I wish everyone at the organisation all the best going forward.