With people now banned from all but essential travel between Ayrshire’s three council areas, the latest statistics show where coronavirus is most prevalent.

Hotspots of COVID-19, where the number of positive cases is higher than 100 per 100,000 people, show it has spread across Ayrshire during the second wave.

Between November 16 and November 22, 38 deaths related to coronavirus were registered in Ayrshire, according to data released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) today, Wednesday, November 25.

Pete Whitehouse, NRS Director of Statistical Services, said: “The statistics that we publish every week represent grief and heartbreak for families and communities across Scotland who have lost loved ones due to this virus.

“Over the last week deaths decreased in Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Lanarkshire, but increased in Ayrshire and Arran.”

By a different measure, there have been 75 deaths of people who tested positive for the virus before tragically passing away in Ayrshire this month.

Below are the virus hotspots in each Ayrshire local authority with figures for the seven days up to November 21. All of these statistics are available to view here.

North Ayrshire

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

There have been 26 deaths of people who tested positive for the virus so far this month in North Ayrshire.

Saltcoats and Irvine have the highest number of positive cases in the council area.

Saltcoats North East has a prevalence per head of population almost five times higher than the maximum on Public Health Scotland’s scale - 496.9.

There were between 34 and 37 positive cases in the town for the week up to November 21.

Last week, Saltcoats Group Practice had to close for a deep clean after confirmed cases.

Irvine has had as many as 50 coronavirus cases, but Public Health Scotland does not reveal the number of positive tests in a neighbourhood if it is less than five.

Whereas Ardrossan was COVID-free at the beginning of October, the town has seen a rise in cases and now has the highest level of rate per population – 100, with 18 cases within one week.

Kilwinning had a high prevalence of the virus in October, registering 19 cases leading up to October 2. The town now has between 14 and 20 positive tests.

Tragically, a number of residents at Buckreddan Care Home in Kilwinning have died from suspected coronavirus.

Stevenston has between eight and 14 cases.

There were 11 cases in Beith, between two and eight in Dalry, five in Dreghorn, between seven and 13 in Largs, between one and four in West Kilbride and Seamill and between two and eight in Kilbirnie.

East Ayrshire

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

There have been 17 deaths of people who tested positive for the virus so far this month in East Ayrshire.

Doon Valley South, which includes Dalmellington, Bellsbank and Patna, reported the highest number of cases in the Cumnock and Doon Valley area, with 22 coronavirus tests returned positive for the week up to November 21.

With a population of just 3,170, the region has a positive rate per 100,000 population of 694 – almost seven times the maximum on the Public Health Scotland scale.

Auchinleck had six COVID-19 cases and Mauchline had between eight and 11, during the same time period.

The Cumnock area had between three and 12 and New Cumnock had between one and four cases.

Parents of children at Robert Burns Academy say they are receiving track and trace letters "every other day" as another video emerged showing overcrowding at the new super school.

South Ayrshire

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

There have been 32 deaths of people who tested positive for the virus so far this month in South Ayrshire.

During the seven days to November 21, Ayr reported between 66 and 78 COVID-19 cases.

Castlehill and Kincaidston was the worst affected neighbourhood with 12 positives giving it a rate of 287 per 100,000 of population.

Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton reported seven cases in one week, following an apology from Tarbolton Airbnb owners whose guests threw a party with 17 people.

The party has been pinpointed as one of the causes of a spike in South Ayrshire.

Troon, including Barassie and Muirhead, had between three and 12 cases while Prestwick had between seven and 13.

Across Carrick, there were between eight and 11 positive tests, Coylton had between one and four, Dundonald, Loans and Symington had eight, Maybole had six and Girvan had between six and nine.