"Substantial testing" is underway after the first confirmed cases of coronavirus on the Isle of Skye.

Skye Community Response said cases had been expected, and they included an "outbreak" at an independent care home in Portree and that "substantial testing" is under way to find out the true extent of the infection.

The volunteer group, which works with the emergency services and NHS Highland, appealed to islanders to follow social distancing advice.

It is thought the care home is Home Farm, which is run by HC One.

A small number of residents have contracted Covid-19 but no deaths have been linked to the virus.

Some staff are now self-isolating, a spokesman for the home said.

He added: “Caring for our residents and supporting our colleagues is at the heart of what we do, and we are doing everything we can to make sure our residents and colleagues stay safe and well throughout these challenging times.

“We have a comprehensive coronavirus contingency plan in place, which was created by our clinical director and reflects the latest Government guidance.

“We are working closely with our local health and care partners and we have all the medical equipment, PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies we need to protect residents and colleagues.

“We are proud of our colleagues and how they have risen to the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak by showing huge dedication and commitment to our residents.

“We are providing round-the-clock support for all our teams, and we are also grateful to relatives for their ongoing support and understanding.”

In a statement this afternoon, a spokesman for NHS Highland said: "There is an independent care home in Portree, Skye with a Covid-19 outbreak.

"There is substantial testing underway to fully understand the extent of infection.

"The care home is being supported through the Health Protection team within Public Health, local health and social care teams, Primary Care as well as the Adult Social Care functions within NHS Highland.

"All assistance will be made available to the care home in order to contain and manage the situation."

Skye Community Response said: "It was expected that our community would begin to see cases. It was a question of when, not if, this would happen.

"Whilst other parts of Scotland and the UK maybe approaching, or passing, the peak of the pandemic we are just seeing the start."