Commenting on the latest Covid statistics for East Lothian, which show the county currently has the highest infection rate in Scotland, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Clearly, after all the hard work that’s been undertaken locally to suppress the virus over the last 15 months, it’s disappointing that East Lothian now has the highest infection rate in Scotland. This is a trend we need to reverse as quickly as possible as we know the new delta variant can spread much more rapidly.

“While the vaccination programme now means higher infection rates are no longer resulting in such high numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, Covid can still be devastating to some of those who contract it.

“That’s why we must redouble efforts to observe the public health guidance to limit further transmission of the virus as far as possible. The next few weeks are crucial to ensuring we can get everyone vaccinated and end the restrictions to restore the freedom we all desire.”