THE trend of rising cases of Covid-19 in East Lothian has continued for the fourth day in a row.
The latest figures published by Public Health Scotland today (Wednesday) show that between January 11 and 17, East Lothian recorded 132 positive cases of coronavirus and the seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population was sitting at 123.3.
This time last week, the figures were sitting at 120 positive cases and a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people of 112.1.
This now puts East Lothian’s figures at the seventh lowest in Scotland; they were sitting at six for a number of days.
And they remain the second lowest in the Lothian health board area.
By comparison, Midlothian’s seven-day positive rate per 100,00 of the population is sitting at 104.9, Edinburgh’s at 133.4 and West Lothian’s at 138.7.
In East Lothian, the two halves of Tranent are at opposite ends of the scale.
Tranent North (26 cases), Musselburgh North (19 cases) and now Ormiston (six cases) are the three parts of East Lothian that are areas of concern, with seven-day positive rates per 100,000 of the population between 200 and 399.
Wallyford/Whitecraig was an area of concern yesterday (Tuesday) but, due to a decrease in cases (to 13), now joins Pinkie Braes (four cases), Haddington Rural (11 cases), Longniddry and Aberlady (seven cases), Gullane and Drem (seven cases), and North Berwick South (seven cases) with a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population between 100 and 199.
At the other end of the scale, Tranent South, Prestonpans East, Musselburgh South, Musselburgh West, Haddington South, North Berwick North and Dunbar West all recorded fewer than two cases each.
The rest of East Lothian – Musselburgh East, Prestonpans West, Cockenzie, Haddington North, Dunbar East, and East Linton and Rural – all recorded a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people between 50 and 99.
SEE MORE: January 19 coronavirus figures update: East Lothian records fourth death this year
Across Scotland today, a total of 1,656 positive cases of the virus were recorded, representing 7.5 per cent of all tests carried out yesterday.
A total of 2,003 people are currently in hospital, 14 more than yesterday, and 156 are in intensive care, six more than yesterday.
Sadly, a further 92 deaths were recorded among those who had previously tested positive.
A total of 309,909 have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, up 25,327 from yesterday, and 4,170 people have received their second dose, an increase of 284 in the past 24 hours.
Today the National Records of Scotland published its weekly report, which includes deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.
As of Sunday, 7,448 deaths have been registered in Scotland that mentioned Covid-19; 368 of those were registered last week, which is 23 fewer than the previous week.
Out of those 368 deaths, 48 were in the Lothian health board area – out of that 48, 39 were in Edinburgh.
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