A CONFIRMED case of coronavirus has been detected at one of Ayr's biggest schools Belmont Academy.

Parents at the secondary school have been advised of a positive case of COVID-19 with a track and trace operation underway by NHS Ayrshire and Arran's Test and Protect team.

The health board's Public Health Department issued a letter today(Sunday, September 13).

They assured parents the risk to children attending the school was "very low".

Pupils who are indentified as a close contact to the infected individual will be told to self-isolate. 

The letter reads: "NHS Ayrshire and Arran's Health Protection Team is conducting a contact tracing exercise in relation to a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. The risk to pupils is very low."

"Close contacts are being contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to self-isolate at home for 14 days. If your child is contacted by our Test and Protect contact tracing team to let them know they are a close contact of somebody with COVID-19, they do not need a test but must self-isolate for 14 days."

It comes as staff at two South Ayrshire schools were self-isolating after coming into contact with a positive case of COVID-19.

A number of staff at Kingcase Primary in Prestwick and Annbank Primary in Mossblown have been told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Any parent who is concerned that they or their child have come into contact with a confirmed case can contact the Health Protection team on 01292 885858

The Ayr Advertiser have contacted NHS Ayrshire and Arran and South Ayrshire Council.