The latest data available for Covid-19 statistics shows that the weekly total number of cases in North Ayrshire has increased slightly.

Current Public Health Scotland figures show that there were 804 positive Covid-19 lateral flow device (LFD) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results returned in between February 12-18.

That’s an increase from 744 last week.

It gives us a seven-day rate per 100,000 of population of 598.9 – currently the second lowest rate in the country.

Case numbers had been decreasing since January 5, when 608 were recorded on a single day.

As of yesterday, there were 89 people in hospitals in Ayrshire and Arran with a Covid-related illness.

That’s an increase from 70 on the same day the week before.

There were fewer than five people in intensive care. Nationwide there were 13 people in intensive care with Covid-issues.

Figures from the National Records of Scotland show that one person from North Ayrshire died where Covid-19 was mentioned on their death certificate between February 7-13.

On vaccinations, 94.3 per cent of the population aged 12 and above in North Ayrshire have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, 89 per cent have had two, and 73.1 per cent have had three.

The last week saw no changes to Covid rules in Scotland.

In England, yesterday Boris Johnson was due to announce the ending of all Covid legal restrictions.

It’s expected that people will no longer be required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid.

Also yesterday, Sajid Javid, the UK Government’s health secretary announced that the most vulnerable will be offered a further Covid-19 booster jag by the Spring if it is six months since their previous dose.

All over-75s, residents in care homes for older adults, and people aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed will all be eligible.

Eligible adults will be offered a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, while those aged 12 to 18-years-old who are eligible will be offered the Pfizer vaccine.

Currently everyone aged 16 and over and some children aged 12 to 15 who are at higher risk are eligible for a third booster dose.

People who are severely immunosuppressed have already been offered a fourth dose and under the new advice, will be offered a fifth dose six months later.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have also indicated that a further booster in the autumn of 2022 is likely to be advised for people who are at higher risk of severe Covid.

And on Sunday night it was revealed that the Queen has contracted Covid-19.

She is said to be continuing with “light duties”.

The Queen had her first Covid-19 vaccine in January 2021 and she is believed to have had all of her subsequent doses.