Covid-19 weekly case rates continue to decline in North Ayrshire, with the number of positive test results being returned decreasing by more than 50.

The latest statistics from Public Health Scotland show that there were 441 positive results in the area between October 3-9.

That’s down from 513 the previous week.

Despite the downward trend in the number of cases, there is an upwards trajectory in relation to the number of deaths occurring from Covid-19 in Ayrshire, the result of last month’s record-high case numbers.

There were 27 people in Ayrshire who died where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate between September 27-October 3, according to the latest figures from the National Records of Scotland.

That’s the most weekly coronavirus deaths to occur in Ayrshire since the beginning of February.

The vaccination programme in North Ayrshire has moved onto those aged 12 to 15-years-old.

Nearly half of 12 to 15-year-olds in North Ayrshire have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine.

According to the latest figures published by Public Health Scotland, 41.4 per cent of the age group have received their first dose, while just 0.1 per cent have received their second.

For 16-17 year-olds, the uptake is even greater, with 72.4 per cent having received their first dose while 12.3 per cent have received their second.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in last week was 1,242, which is 196, or 19 per cent, more than the five year average according to NRS data.