One year on from Scotland's first positive case of the virus, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Chief Exectuive, John Burns wants people to remain vigilant, positive, and look forward to brighter days.

The healthboard boss says "there is light at the end of the tunnel" in the fight against the virus.

READ MORE: COVID deaths in Ayrshire at lowest level since October

Speaking about the past year, John Burns said: "This past year will have been one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, we have all faced.

“As we mark one year since the first coronavirus (COVID-19) cases were discovered in Scotland, there still remains some challenges. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are beginning to see some hopeful signs, including a reducing number of positive cases in our community.

"I want to thank all of our health and care staff for their exceptional efforts throughout the last year and in particular over the last few months".

Irvine Times: John Burns, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran

John Burns, above. 

He continued: “The teams across our health and care system have worked tirelessly in service of those who need our care and support. I hear every week how our staff are adapting how they work so they can meet the issues and challenges of our continued response to COVID-19.

"I have heard numerous examples of resilience, dedication, and endurance, while our staff continue to work to our organisational values of Caring, Safe and Respectful".

"Since the first vaccines were administered on December 8, 2020 to care home residents and priority health and care staff, we have vaccinated 138,465* people in Ayrshire and Arran.

READ MORE: Half of UK adults should receive Covid-19 vaccine by May, Government says

“The vaccination programme is running extremely well, and I want to thank those working in our vaccination teams in helping us deliver this important programme. I also want to thank the many people who have taken up the offer to be vaccinated".