New cases of covid-19 in Largs have dropped by almost half in the last recorded week – with positive news across North Ayrshire too.

From July 10 to 16, 19 new cases of the virus were detected in the town and Cumbrae, a large drop from the 37 recorded the previous week.

In the last week, Largs Central and Cumbrae has seen nine new cases, while Largs North and Largs South have recorded five cases each.

Cases have reduced in other areas of the North Coast, with Fairlie and the surrounding area confirming four new cases, and West Kilbride and Seamill seeing seven new cases.

However, Skelmorlie is continuing to see high numbers following an outbreak in the village, with 11 new cases in the past seven days.

Across North Ayrshire, a further 206 cases were recorded in the last week, a test positivity rate of 5.7 per cent.

This is a significant decrease on the previous week, when 359 cases were registered across the authority, a test positivity rate of 8.3 per cent.

The current hotspot for the virus in North Ayrshire is Ardrossan North East, which recorded 15 new cases in the past week.

In the last recorded week, 14,781 new cases of covid-19 were recorded across Scotland, a test positivity rate of 8.9 per cent.

Across all local authorities in Scotland, North Ayrshire currently sits 28th overall for its case rate, compared to 18th the previous week.

Midlothian currently has the highest covid-19 case rate of any local authority in Scotland.