Several coronavirus patients have been admitted to Ayr Hospital as the pandemic surges across the area. 

It is understood people who have contracted the illness are being treated at the hospital’s Station 16. 

A health source said there are enough beds to cope with demand but they warned that could change rapidly with infection rates predicted to soar. 

Kilmarnock’s Crosshouse hospital is already treating Covid-19 victims. 

It was confirmed yesterday that 74 people have tested positive for the deadly virus in Ayrshire & Arran.

A new coronavirus medical centre is being set up in Ayrshire to deal with people who have symptoms but don’t need emergency care.

Dubbed the ‘coronavirus community hub’,  it will take calls and arrange face to face appointments.

Its location in Ayrshire is still being kept under wraps.

The hub is part of a nationwide roll-out with others being set up around the country to ease pressure on GPs and hospitals. 

In response to a query about coronavirus treatment at Ayr Hospital, medical director Dr Crawford McGuffie said: “For patient confidentiality reasons we cannot give out information that would identify anyone who has undergone tests or tested positive for COVID-19.

"This includes their location, health board area, age or gender.”

When asked for more details about the clinical community hub, a health board spokeswoman said further updates will follow over the next few days. 

In a statement released on social media, the health board said: “The community clinical hub is staffed with clinicians and professionals from across Ayrshire and Arran who will provide specialised COVID-19 advice.

“If you need to be seen, the community clinical hub will liaise with your General Practice for follow up treatment.

“The local community clinical hub provides a dedicated COVID-19 service supporting the people in our communities.”