Swindon's Tesco megastore has been hit by a coronavirus outbreak with a number of staff now in self-isolation.

The chain has confirmed that affected staff at its Extra store on Ocotal Way have tested positive. 

In a statement, the company said a "small number" of employees had been diagnosed in recent days, with those infected now self-isolating at home. 

The supermarket chain said no delivery drivers had tested positve and the store remains open. 

Swindon was recently placed on a government watchlist after a surge in Covid-19 infections, but is not currently in a local lockdown. 

A Tesco spokesman said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. We have introduced extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular deep cleaning.”

Swindon was added to Public Health England's coronavirus surveillance report on August 7. PHE is monitoring outbreaks to determine whether or not a local lockdown should be imposed.

The Wiltshire town has been hit by outbreaks in other businesses. At an Iceland warehouse, 51 workers tested positive for the disease.

And cases have been reported in the workforces at the depots for Honda and Royal Mail too.

Three members of staff at Swindon's fire station also caught the highly-contagious disease. 

A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council's Public Health department told The Sun: "We are aware of the very small number of Covid-19 cases affecting staff at the Tesco store.

"Our Public Health team is working closely with Tesco and colleagues in Public Health England.

"All staff affected are self-isolating in accordance with government guidance."

Britain's total coronavirus cases increased by 1,062 yesterday - the biggest daily rise in six weeks.

The country has not seen an increase this large since June 25 - when 1,118 cases were reported in a single day.