The downward trend in weekly coronavirus cases in North Ayrshire continues as less positive cases were recorded in the most recent seven-day period than the one before it.

The latest Public Health Scotland figures show that there were 178 positive cases reported in North Ayrshire between July 17- 23.

That’s 28 cases less than the week before and gives us a seven-day rate per 100,000 of population of 132.6. Currently, only two other council areas have a better rate than this.

It’s the lowest amount of weekly cases in North Ayrshire since the beginning of June.

It’s thought that a combination of the Scotland football team’s exit from Euro 2020, schools finishing up for the year, and the recent good weather are all contributing factors in cases coming down.

As a local authority area, we’re nearing 100 per cent of all adults having received at least a single dose of a COVID vaccine, with 92.9 per cent having received a jag.

Second doses aren’t that far behind either, with 74.1 per cent of the adult population having received two shots.

And next on the agenda for the unravelling of COVID restrictions will come on August 3 when Nicola Sturgeon is due to update parliament on whether or not most legal restrictions will end.

All parts of Scotland moved to level zero of COVID restrictions on Monday 19 July.

It was planned that office working would resume gradually from that date, but that has been delayed until August 9 at the earliest.

We’ll have all the updates as and when they come in.