THE number of coronavirus cases in East Lothian continued to decrease in the first week of January according to the most recent figures published by Public Health Scotland, resulting in the county having the fifth lowest rate across the whole of Scotland.

Data published over the weekend showed a continued decline in figures in East Lothian: one town recorded fewer than four cases in the first week of January

For the period between December 30 and January 5, 178 cases were recorded and the seven-day rate per 100,000 of the population was 166.2.

On Saturday (December 31 to January 6) this decreased to 166 cases and a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 155.0.

By Sunday (January 1-7), it was confirmed this had decreased further to 157 cases and a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 146.6.

Today (Monday), between January 2 and 8, the rise in cases has slowed again - to 156 cases and a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 145.7.

As well as being the lowest in the Lothian health board area, the figures are now the fifth lowest in Scotland.

By comparison, Edinburgh’s seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people is sitting at 229.7, Midlothian’s at 201.2 and West Lothian’s at 161.7; all but Edinburgh are a decrease compared to the figures announced yesterday.

East Lothian Courier: The most recent data shows yet another fall in East Lothian's coronavirus figures. The latest areas of concern and case figures are shown here, the darker the colour the higher the area of concernThe most recent data shows yet another fall in East Lothian's coronavirus figures. The latest areas of concern and case figures are shown here, the darker the colour the higher the area of concern

In East Lothian, the number of places that are areas of concern with a seven-day positive rate between 200 and 399 is sitting at six: Musselburgh West (10 cases), Musselburgh North (11 cases), Tranent North (15 cases), Pinkie Braes (five cases), Cockenzie (13 cases) and Haddington Rural (15 cases).

The number of places with a seven-day positive rate between 100 and 199 has decreased from 11 to eight. It now consists of: Musselburgh South (six cases), Musselburgh East (six cases), Wallyford/Whitecraig (12 cases), Prestonpans West (seven cases), Prestonpans East (seven cases), Longniddry and Aberlady (seven cases), Tranent South (12 cases), Ormiston (three cases), North Berwick South (seven cases) and East Linton and Rural (nine cases).

Wallyford and Whitecraig, Musselburgh East and Tranent South were previously areas of concern with seven-day rates between 200 and 399 but, due to a decrease in figures, are no longer sitting at the top of the list.

The number of places at the lowest end of the scale has increased over the weekend, from two to five.

Gullane and Drem and Dunbar East continue to appear on the list but have now been joined by Haddington South, North Berwick North and Dunbar West. All have recorded fewer than two cases each in the seven days up to January 8.

Haddington North has a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people between 50 and 99.

Across Scotland as a whole today, 1,782 new cases were recorded, as was one death among those who had previously tested positive. Registration offices are generally closed at weekends.

The number of people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19 increased by 134 over the weekend to 1,664; the number of people in intensive care increased by 24 over the weekend to 126.

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

Up to 8.30am this morning, 163,377 have been vaccinated.