Scotland’s chief medical officer says there are “encouraging signs” that coronavirus transmissions in Dumfries and Galloway are slowing down.
But Dr Gregor Smith warned it is “too early” to say whether or not that is going to continue.
During Monday’s briefing, Dr Smith said the region had seen a “very rapid” rise in cases in recent weeks, mainly down to the new Covid-19 variant.
He said that the figures showed there was now a “slow decline” but it was “too early yet to be confident it is going to continue that way”.
Dr Smith added: “There are some encouraging signs just now that the community outbreaks – both in Stranraer and in other parts of Dumfries and Galloway – are beginning to slow down in transmission.”
Monday's figures revealed a further 38 people had tested positive, taking the total for the region in 2021 to 1,494.
There are currently 69 people in hospital, two more than on Sunday. There are 14 people in intensive care, up one from yesterday.
A further 1,429 people across Scotland have tested positive, taking the total to 163,762.
Since Friday, 78 people have died, taking the tally to 5,305.
