New figures show the rate of Covid infections in Aberdeen has decreased for the second week in a row, and is now almost five times below the national average.
The most up-to-date numbers show there were 25 cases in the city during the seven days leading up to May 24.
This is the equivalent of 10.9 per 100,000 residents – among the lowest in the country, and well below the 47 per 100,000 Scottish average.
Elsewhere in the region Aberdeenshire had 23 people return positive tests – the first drop in four weeks.
There were 17 in Moray – with cases now at a lower level than they had been prior to the second wave in December.
Having previously had the highest infection rate in Scotland, the area is now sitting 22nd out of 32.
Additionally, the proportion of positive tests in all three council areas has been below 1% for a number of weeks.
The numbers have been compiled by NHS Grampian’s director of public health, Susan Webb, and distributed to senior politicians across the city.
Health chiefs say almost two-thirds of the new cases have been linked to known events or settings, and also provided an update on vaccination rates.
More than 120,000 Aberdeen residents have received their first dose – 63.5% of the population – with just over 68,000 (35.9%) now fully vaccinated.
‘Every individual decision can have an impact’
Dr Webb wrote: “The turnaround in Moray has been extraordinary and much of this has been due to residents being willing to work with us, coming forward for testing and vaccination – and following guidelines.
“Our success was also due to early identification of risks and the collaboration with all partners which has been excellent.
“We definitely worked better by working together.”
She added: “However, we saw with this outbreak how quickly things can escalate and we are very much aware of the situation in central Scotland and now in Tayside.
“The high transmissibility of the APR02 variant poses a serious risk to those who have not generated an immune response or been vaccinated.
“Please encourage those you know and those you speak take up routine testing. Do it yourself!
“In this way we will identify people with Covid but without symptoms and in doing so, prevent further spread.
“We are in Level 2 with greater freedoms and optimistic about having more.
“So to keep open and moving in the right direction, please be tested and be vaccinated.
“Continue to work at home if you can.
“Every individual decision can have a considerable collective impact.”