West Lothian is now almost double the national average for Covid-19 infections.
After the outbreak at HMP Addiewell the latest PHS data shows that in West Lothian there were 37 new cases, 320 over the past seven days and 6249 since March 9 of last year.
This means West Lothian had 175 people per 100,000 testing positive for the contagion over the past week, with the national average currently at 101.
Infections in the county equalled record highs in the past week, with 99 positive tests recorded on February 12, after the outbreak of the virus at the prison.
The 99 infections in one day was first recorded in the PHS data table on October 22 during the peak of the second wave.
Before the prison infections West Lothian was hovering near to the national average. In recent weeks community infection rates remained stubborn and weren’t slowing as fast as they have been in other local authorities.
The PHS heatmap shows that community transmission remains high, with three of the 37 neighbourhoods now in the highest zone with 400 or more cases per 100,000.
Breich Valley (including HMP Addiewell) had 93 infections in its population of 4911 in the past week, Blaeberry Hill and East Whitburn had 28 and Whitbrun Central had 22.
Across the county, 11 neighbourhoods have suppressed the virus, with fewer than two cases recorded over the past week.
The PHS data table shows that there have been three Covid-19 related deaths in West Lothian over the past week.
Nicola Sturgeon today said that there is “very strong and compelling” evidence that the vaccines are reducing Covid-19 deaths.
New figures show a 62 per cent drop in coronavirus deaths in care homes in recent weeks.
The First Minister also announced that 69 per cent of 65 to 69-year-olds have received the first dose of the vaccination.
She said residents from the one of the four top priority categories who have not been vaccinated yet should get in touch with their GP.
However, Ms Sturgeon went onto warn that measures like travel restrictions and face coverings might have to remain in place for longer to “eliminate” the virus and suppress infection rates.
She said that Scotland had managed to achieve this for a spell last year but warns that we would be “back to square one if everything is just suddenly opened up again.”
Meanwhile, The First Minister has repeated her belief the Scottish elections in May can still go ahead but concedes the campaign would not be “as normal.”
Ms Sturgeon said more than 80 elections have been held around the world since last March and several council byelections in Scotland.
