THE number of people in hospital in the Borders with coronavirus is at its lowest since August.

According to data published by the Scottish Government at 2pm today (December 16) there are fewer than five people in hospital in the region with recently confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The last time the region recorded fewer than five hospital patients was August 8, 2021.

In the 18 weeks since, the greatest number of hospital patients with confirmed coronavirus was recorded on November 18 where NHS Borders reported 33 hospital patients.

In the latest update from the government the Borders has recorded 65 new cases of coronavirus in a 24-hour period.

The new data shows that the Borders has now seen 11,732 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic.

Scotland has now recorded 783,828 cases since March last year.