Confirmed cases of covid-19 are increasing in Largs and the surrounding area, despite a reduction in cases across North Ayrshire.

Between January 9 and 15, 57 cases were detected in the area, compared to 42 cases the week prior between January 2 and 8.

Across North Ayrshire, 385 cases were confirmed in that time, with a test positivity rate of just under ten per cent.

This is a large decrease from the week previous, when 476 cases were confirmed, a test positivity rate of 11.1 per cent.

Fairlie and the surrounding rural area currently has the fifth highest case rate of any community in North Ayrshire, with 14 cases recorded in the last week.

Largs has seen a total of 29 cases in the previous recorded week, a decrease of 13 compared to th period between January 2 and 8.

Largs North recorded 12 cases in the last week, with Largs Central and Cumbrae accounting for 14 confirmed cases.

Largs South has one of the lowest incidences of the virus in North Ayrshire, with three cases recorded.

Skelmorlie and the surrounding area, and West Kilbride and Seamill, both recorded seven cases of the virus in the last week.

Across Scotland, North Ayrshire currently has the fourth highest case rate per 100,000 of the population, behind Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

Nationally, 11,831 cases were confirmed between January 9 and 15, a test positivity rate of 9.4 per cent.