The number of coronavirus cases being recorded in North Ayrshire has jumped up after three weeks of slowly rising.

The latest data from Public Health Scotland shows that between May 15-21 there were 59 positive tests recorded in the area, an increase of 21from the previous week.

The new weekly total gives us a seven day rate per 100,000 of 43.8, which is close to the upper limit for the level two threshold (50 per 100,000).

The neighbourhoods currently worst affected are: Irvine Perceton and Lawthorn (9 cases), Saltcoats North East (8 cases), Springside and Rural (4 cases), Kilwinning Whitehirst Park and Woodside (7 cases), Stevenston Ardeer (4 cases), Irvine Castlepark North (3 cases), Kilwinning Central and North (3 cases), and Beith East and Rural (3 cases). Almost three quarters (74.6 per cent) of the adult population of North Ayrshire have now had at least a first dose of a COVID vaccine and more than half (51.5 per cent) have had a second too.

This week saw the aviation industry take its first tentative steps towards resuming.

The first international flight out of Scotland left Edinburgh for Portugal yesterday and from tomorrow planes will be departing Prestwick airport for the green listed country too.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney urged those considering booking an international holiday to exercise cautio.

He told the BBC: “We are appealing to people, given the fragility of the situation that we are in with the pandemic, to exercise due caution and take steps which will minimise the risk of any circulation of the virus.”