A business in Cumnock has voluntarily offered to close their workplace for 14 days to protect workers and stem the spread of coronavirus.

We reported earlier in the week how NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Test & Protect Team were conducting a contact tracing exercise around Emergency One in Cumnock following potential outbreak of the virus there.

This has now been confirmed by the health board, with the Joint Director of Public Health, Joy Tomlinson saying: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran Test and Protect team is carrying out COVID-19 contact tracing related to the Emergency One factory in Cumnock, East Ayrshire following a small number of cases connected to the business. 

"Those who have been identified as close contacts through this process have already been contacted directly by the Test and Protect Team and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. Emergency One management have been working closely with us to ensure they have all the support necessary to protect their workforce."

In her statement Ms Tomlinson said that although Emergency One had all the correct procedures and precautions in place, the business would shut the main building from which they operate out of at the Caponacre Industrial Estate, for a 14 day period, "in order to minimise the risk of further cases in the staff group and wider local community and to support Test and Protect."

She added: "Staff members and their families are being advised to be extra vigilant and, if they develop any of the symptoms of a fever, new persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, they should self-isolate immediately and arrange a test. Information on how to book a test is available on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/.

"All relevant Public Health measures are in place and our Public Health Team is working with East Ayrshire Environmental Health Officers to manage and monitor the situation. 

"To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time."

Emergency One were contacted for comment but were unavailable at the time of publication.