CORONAVIRUS emergency measures have been put in place at a Greenock school after a young pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

The emergence of the virus has been confirmed by public health chiefs as occurring at Lady Alice Primary.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde said there is 'no evidence of transmission within the school itself'.

However, a source told the Telegraph that the affected pupil's entire class has been told to self-isolate for 14 days.

The news came just hours after local councillors called for a children's Covid test centre to be set up in Inverclyde following a huge spike in demand for coronavirus checks.

A health board spokeswoman said of the Lady Alice positive test: "To respect and maintain patient confidentiality, no further details will be released.

"Public health, education departments and council environmental health teams are working together to support the school and families affected.

"Within the school, public health teams have systematically established a list of close contacts.

"Test and Protect staff are contacting those identified as contacts.

"These close contacts are being advised to self-isolate and being given appropriate advice and support.

"Robust control measures are in place within the school.

"Apart from those who are identified as close contacts, all other pupils and staff can continue to attend as normal."

Anxious parents and other local residents who have been trying to book tests via an online government portal have been being directed to centres in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in recent days.

Despite a test facility at Parklea, people have been given locations more than 100 miles away in Belfast, Ballymoney and Portree on the Isle of Skye.

SNP councillors today called for a 'bespoke' children's testing unit to be established at Greenock Health Centre.

They say this would help ensure that Inverclyde families get access to testing in their local area.

Council SNP group leader Elizabeth Robertson said: "We can see from reports over the past week that this has been a very stressful period for parents.

"They are absolutely doing the right thing by registering for a test but to be offered a test so far away means that it's just not practical or possible to uptake the test."

Councillor Robertson added: "As we enter autumn and winter young people will get coughs and temperatures, we need a better local solution that is easy for parents to access but also as friendly an experience as possible for children."

Her party's Covid-19 spokesman, Councillor Chris McEleny, has raised the issue with the Scottish Government as well as local health chiefs.

Mr McEleny said: "We can see from the volume of parents getting in touch that we need a better solution.

"The establishment of a bespoke children's testing facility at Greenock Health Centre would make it easier for parents to get tests for their children and it would also allow the whole centre to be a less daunting experience.

"Understandably, we follow national guidance on testing but we have the opportunity to show local leadership on this issue and put in place a system that better serves people in Inverclyde.

"I am hopeful this is taken forward as a matter of urgency."

NHS GGC said: "Our Test and Protect team continues to perform a vital role in contacting those who we believe to be close contacts of confirmed cases. Anyone who may have been exposed is being given appropriate advice.

"We ask the public to remain vigilant. The general measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 remain the same - social distancing, regular hand washing, and being on the look-out for symptoms.

"There is no need for anyone to seek a test if they are not experiencing any symptoms but anyone with one or more of the symptoms should immediately self-isolate and order a test on the NHS inform website www.nhsinform.scot."

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware of a positive case at Lady Alice Primary and we’re working with public health teams to offer support to the school and affected families.

“The national test and protect system was activated and, at this stage, there is no evidence of transmission within the school itself.”