A “small number of pupils” from two secondary schools in South Ayrshire are self-isolating after having contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

Teenagers from Marr College and Prestwick Academy have been told to stay at home for 14 days. 

A health protection team has been carrying out contact tracing with the “small number” of pupils who have been in the presence of a coronavirus infection case.

An NHS Ayrshire & Arran boss said “every measure is being taken to protect” them.

Both schools remain open and it is understood parents have been informed about the situation.

Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter said: “School headteachers and the local authority must take whatever steps are necessary to protect the pupils, staff and their families.” 

Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Health Protection Team is conducting a contact tracing exercise with a small number of pupils in two South Ayrshire Council secondary schools who have had contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

“These individuals are being contacted by the Test and Protect team and told to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

“We appreciate this is a very worrying time. However, we would like to assure people that every measure is being taken to protect pupils and staff.”

The news comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that there is a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Ayrshire & Arran.

Secondary pupils should also be wearing masks in corridors and communal areas from today.

The common cold has been sweeping through schools in South Ayrshire since they reopened with children coming home with runny noses and coughs.

It has left some parents with fears their children could have coronavirus symptoms. 

Last week NHS Ayrshire & Arran warned of a spike in people trying to get coronavirus tests after children returned to classrooms. The health board said only those with specific symptoms need tests.

It is understood some people trying to book tests in the area were offered slots as far away as Northern Ireland.

Nearly 17,500 children were tested for coronavirus across Scotland over the course of a week since pupils returned to school. Only 49 tests were positive.

Symptoms for coronavirus are a new cough; high temperature  and or loss of taste and smell.