Inverclyde's two biggest supermarkets have been hit by outbreaks of Covid-19

A number of employees at the Tesco Extra stores in both Greenock and Port Glasgow are now off work and self-isolating due to the virus.

On Tuesday, a source told the Tele that a significant number of staff at the Port store were isolating at home following the news that several members of staff had tested positive.

The company has not disclosed how many cases have been reported.

The insider said the outbreak originated in the 'dotcom' area of the store and claimed that the area had not been cleaned - a point which has been today denied by management.

The worker who contacted the Tele said the outbreak posed a 'serious health risk to the population' and added that both customers and staff were very concerned.

A separate source reported that a staff member in the Greenock store had tested positive for the virus.

They also raised concerns about a lack of mask-wearing and said social distancing guidelines were not being adhered to in some areas, including at the self-service tills.

The whistleblower added: "I think it's disgraceful.

"I know that several complaints have been made.

"This is exactly how it can spread.

"Nothing is being done about it."

The Telegraph contacted Tesco to ask questions about the situation at both local stores.

A spokesperson for Tesco confirmed that employees at both premises had been impacted by the virus.

Bosses added that the stores were following the correct protocols in response to the outbreak.

Tesco also advised that the 'dotcom' area of the Port Glasgow store - which includes the trolleys - is cleaned daily and added that it was 'extensively cleaned' on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A Tesco spokesperson said: "A number of colleagues at our Port Glasgow Extra store are off work due to Covid-19.

"A small number of colleagues at our Greenock store are isolating after one of the team tested positive for Covid-19.

"Colleagues have been informed and close contacts are also now self-isolating.

"The safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers remains our number one priority and we are following all government guidance and working with local public health authorities.

"We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular cleaning."

The latest statistics show that the number of cases of Covid-19 in Inverclyde is rising.

For the period December 21-27, 165 positive cases were reported.

This puts the seven day rate per 100k in the district at 212, one of the highest figures in Scotland and well up from 162 in the preceding period.