THE number of positive cases of coronavirus in East Lothian has stayed the same over the past 24 hours but the county’s death rate has been steadily increasing over the past few months.
The latest data from Public Health Scotland shows that between January 12 and 18, the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the county remained at 132 and the seven-day positive rate at 123.3.
However, two further deaths from the virus were recorded on Saturday, bringing the total for the year to six.
The last time two deaths were recorded on one day was December 21; before then it was May 13.
The is the highest monthly death toll in East Lothian since the first wave of the pandemic last spring.
By comparison, five deaths were recorded in East Lothian in December, with four recorded in November.
SEE MORE: January 20 coronavirus update: The rise in East Lothian's cases continues
The stabilising of the most recent figures, however, means East Lothian now has the sixth lowest figures in Scotland and they remain second lowest in the Lothian health board area.
Edinburgh’s seven-day positive rate per 100,000 people is sitting at 127.6, Midlothian’s at 119.0 and West Lothian at 132.7.
In East Lothian, in the seven days up to January 18, Haddington North and Haddington South both recorded fewer than two cases each. Joining them at the lowest end of the scale are Dunbar West, North Berwick North, Prestonpans East and Musselburgh West.
At the oppposite end of the scale, three parts of the county remain areas of concern. Musselburgh North (17 cases), Tranent North (25 cases) and Ormiston (seven cases) all continue to record seven-day positive rates per 100,000 people between 200 and 399.
Seven parts of East Lothian recorded a seven-day positive rate per 100,000 of the population between 100 and 199, up one from yesterday. The list consists of: Wallyford/Whitecraig (11 cases), Pinkie Braes (three cases), Haddington Rural (eight cases), Longniddry and Aberlady (eight cases), Cockenzie (nine cases), North Berwick South (six cases) and Dunbar East (five cases).
Just a few days ago, Dunbar East was at the lowest end of the scale.
The rest of the county – Musselburgh South, Musselburgh East, Tranent South, Gullane and Drem, and East Linton and Rural – recorded seven-day positive rates per 100,000 people between 50 and 99.
Across Scotland today, a total of 1,636 positive cases of the virus were recorded, representing seven per cent of all tests carried out yesterday.
A total of 2,004 people are currently in hospital, one more than yesterday, and 161 are in intensive care, five more than yesterday.
Sadly, a further 89 deaths were recorded among those who had previously tested positive.
A total of 334,871 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, up 24,962 from yesterday, and 4,466 people have received their second dose, an increase of 296 in the past 24 hours.
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