THE manager of the pharmacy which was at the centre of a new coronavirus cluster has praised the public for supporting him and his staff.

Campbell Thomas has spoken for the first time about how he found himself at the centre of a crisis when an outbreak linked to the M&D Green premises in Port Glasgow became nationwide news.

As well as being in the spotlight he had to help arrange a whole new staff team at the John Wood Street branch and ensure a deep clean of the premises was immediately carried out to satisfy the authorities.

The speedy response meant the busy pharmacy was able to continue serving patients.

M&D Green area manager Mr Thomas said: "I think it is important to say that our staff have worked extra days and hours to help people during the pandemic.

"We serve everyone in this pharmacy and some of the most vulnerable in the community.

"We took action and all the procedures were in place.

"We are grateful for the support we have had from the people in Port Glasgow.

"We had to bring in a new team, who have coped remarkably well."

The pharmacy also acted on additional recommendations from the local environmental health team.

They have liaised throughout with Public Health Scotland, the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, who set up an incident management team to contain the outbreak, which reached a total of 13 positive Covid-19 tests.

A senior councillor today praised the frontline staff at M&D Green for their swift response to the emergency.

The SNP's Chris McEleny visited the premises and met with area manager Mr Thomas and thanked his team.

He said: "I am completely satisfied with all the measures taken and the action of the pharmacy.

"I have every confidence in M&D Green and having met them I am even more convinced.

"I think this has shown that contact and protect works.

"The procedures were in place and correctly used.

"The health board, Scottish Government and the council's environmental health team all acted appropriately.

"The pharmacy staff are the frontline workers who we were clapping for throughout the pandemic."