The council have announced a £600k fund to tackle impact of the spreading coronavirus.

As part of East Ayshire Council's annual budget, councillors agreed to set aside the funds in case the situation 'escalates'.

Alex McPhee, depute chief executive, said: “As an emergency responder, East Ayrshire Council always prepares and plans to deal with the consequences of incidents.

“The arrival of coronavirus in Scotland means that we could have cases arising locally and we would want to be in a position to respond to calmly and methodically along with colleagues in the NHS.

“This situation is changing daily, but if the situation escalates it is very possible that we would have additional costs, for example, in terms of staffing and supplies.

“We continue to monitor the situation locally, nationally and globally, and we will plan accordingly, but these funds will give us some flexibility in terms of how we manage our response.

“This money will be set aside from council funds.”

More details about the council's approach to follow.

A confirmed case of the coronavirus in Ayrshire was announced yesterday, by the Scottish Government.

A sheltered housing complex in Kilmarnock has been in lock-down due to a resident feeling unwell having returned from an affected country, this is not the confirmed case of the virus in Ayrshire.

If you believe you may have the virus, call NHS 24 on 111, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.