East Ayrshire’s weekly Covid totals are decreasing again, after rising last week.

The latest statistics from Public Health Scotland show that there were 484 positive tests returned in East Ayrshire between October 10-16.

That’s down slightly from 492 the week before and gives us a seven-day rate per 100,000 of population of 398.

Cases had been declining for weeks from a record-high number of cases in September, but last week they increased slightly again, so this week’s total is encouraging.

On vaccinations, 93.4 per cent of all those over the age of 16 in East Ayrshire have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, 87.3 per cent have had two doses.

The most recent National Records of Scotland statistics show that eight people from East Ayrshire died where Covid was mentioned on their death certificate between October 4-10.

As of Monday, October 18, the requirement on specific venues and events to check for proof of Covid vaccination became legally enforceable.

It means nightclubs and large events, will only be able to allow entry to people who can show they have had two doses of a Covid vaccine.

The scheme came into effect at the beginning of this month but business were given a grace period of 17 days to allow them to get to grips with the new procedure.

Unseated indoor events with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor events with more than 4,000 people, and events with more than 10,000 people in attendance will be required to check for vaccination status.