AN outbreak of coronavirus in the Scottish borders is "presently controlled", according to Scotland's national clinical director.

Professor Jason Leitch was asked about 17 cases of Covid-19 around Jedburgh at the Scottish Government's media birefing.

He said it showed the difference in types of incident there could be across the country.

"If we get local public health test and protect working well, we will manage that kind of outbreak," he said.

"Although people may get sick - and it is still horrid to get the virus - that is very different from community transmission across a large area of Scotland where you can't manage it as individual outbreaks.

"The Jedburgh outbreak is presently controlled and the incident management team will meet again today to see if there is anything else they need to do or anything else they need from us."

NHS Borders said the cases were associated with family groups and home care services provided by SB Cares.

The health board added that not all of the confirmed cases were resident in the town and that its test and protect team was working to trace any contacts.

Public health director Tim Patterson said anyone developing symptoms should self-isolate immediately and book a test.

"Whilst you wait for your test all of your household members must self-isolate," he said.

"This is really important to prevent potential spread of this highly contagious virus."

Jen Holland, chief operating officer with SB Cares, said it had contingency plans in place to ensure service provision in Jedburgh could be safely maintained.