PEEBLESSHIRE has suffered the highest rate of coronavirus cases in the Borders over recent days.

Data from Public Health Scotland shows that Tweeddale East and Tweeddale West recorded the most cases between October 7 and October 13.

The figures are shown in an interactive map, which states the number of cases per 100,000 population over a seven-day period.

Tweeddale West (population 6,177) saw nine people diagnosed in the week – a rate of 100-plus per 100,000 population.

However, between October 6 and October 12, a total of 14 people tested positive there.

Tweeddale East (pop. 5,758) had a total of seven new cases, giving it the same rate.

The Peebles North (pop. 4,291) and Peebles South (pop. 4,286) areas have now both seen between one and four cases.

Across the 30 neighbourhoods in the Borders, a total of 15 did not record a single case during the seven-day period.

It comes as figures released on Thursday show a further 11 people tested positive overnight.

The increase brought the Borders’ total number of cases since March to 600.

NHS Borders’ associate director of public health, Keith Allan, said: “In common with the rest of Scotland and the UK, the number of people in the Borders with confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase.

“Please follow up to date advice and guidance in relation to infection prevention and control.

“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to follow the FACTS: Face coverings in enclosed spaces; avoid crowded places; clean hands and surfaces regularly; two-metre distancing; and self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.

“If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 which are a new continuous cough, a fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater) and/or a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste you should self-isolate immediately and visit NHS Inform or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test.

“A new continuous cough is defined as if you are coughing a lot for more than one hour, or you have been coughing a lot three or more times in 24 hours.

“If you normally have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

“Whilst you wait for your test all of your household members must self-isolate.

“This is really important to prevent potential spread of this highly contagious virus.”