Contact tracing is underway at the Saltcoats branch of the supermarket Sainsbury's after an unspecified number of Covid cases were confirmed, reports NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

The health board is currently attempting to identify employees who may have come in contact with the infection.

Workers and their households who may be affected have been advised to self-isolate.

A spokesperson for NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Test & Protect team can confirm that a contact tracing exercise has been carried out within a workplace in the North Ayrshire council area, following confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

"We have undertaken a careful risk assessment to identify any individuals who may have had contact with the confirmed cases. These individuals have been contacted and told to self-isolate for 10 days and book a test.

"All relevant Public Health measures are in place and our Public Health Team is working with North 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.

"People living in Ayrshire and Arran are reminded to follow the current guidelines and FACTS to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities.

"Rapid COVID-19 testing is now available for people without symptoms in Ayrshire please visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/ for information on testing sites available near you.

"The local vaccination programme continues to invite Ayrshire residents forward for their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine offers the best level of protection against the virus and we encourage everyone to take the opportunity when it’s their turn.

"At the moment the 18 to 29-year-old age group are being welcomed to appointments at locations around Ayrshire. Remember you can use the appointment checker tool to see the details of your appointment or reschedule if it is not suitable: https://invitations.vacs.nhs.scot/".

If you are aged 30 or over and have not received your vaccine appointment for your first dose please call 0800 030 8013 available 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Three colleagues have tested positive at our Saltcoats store and are self-isolating at home. A small number of colleagues are self-isolating as a precaution.

“Safety is our highest priority. We continue to have strict safety measures in place in all our stores, including additional cleaning and social distancing measures, as well as hand sanitiser stations, Perspex screens and PPE for all our colleagues. We continue to support Test and Protect and remain in close contact with them.”