The number of Covid patients in Ayrshire hospitals has hit its lowest number since the turn of the year.
New data released this afternoon by the Scottish Government shows 162 patients are receiving treatment for coronavirus in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board region.
That's the lowest figure since January 1 when 160 people were in the region's hospitals and down seven on the previous day's tally.
There remain 12 people battling the disease in intensive care.
The encouraging news comes against a backdrop of a further five Covid deaths while 119 new cases were confirmed in the area.
Nationally, 830 new cases and 67 deaths have been recorded.
There are 1,472 Covid patients in Scottish hospitals; 115 people are in intensive care.
