SIX residents of a care home patients have tested positive for the coronavirus.

South Lanarkshire Council said that the outbreak has been identified at the Highgate Care Home in Uddingston.

NHS Lanarkshire said all relatives and staff were being informed of developments.

The care home caters for about 70 elderly patients, some of whom have conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease.

Dr John Logan, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: "We appreciate this is a very worrying time for many people.

"Highgate Care Home has implemented infection prevention and control measures and the NHS Lanarkshire Health Protection Team will continue to provide advice and support to the care home manager and staff."

It was understood none of the infected residents has so far required hospital treatment.

John Kirk, managing director of Highgate Care Home, said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues is of paramount importance. As such, we are committed to doing everything we can to keep them safe.

"We are working closely with all the relevant bodies, including NHS Lanarkshire and Health Protection Scotland, as we implement our comprehensive contingency plan, which includes closing the home to all but absolutely essential visitors, and continuing to take steps to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and infection control."