Two members of staff at a Grantham care home are believed to be in self-isolation after it was found to have cases of coronavirus last week.

The staff are employed at the Newton House Care Home on Barrowby Road, which confirmed two positive cases.

Barchester Healthcare, which runs the facility, says the home remains open.

Seventeen care homes across Lincolnshire have been put under protective isolation after suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus have been found.

Professor Derek Ward, director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, confirmed that around 20 to 30 cases have been tested positive in care homes in the county.

Residents are given a swab test to determine whether they have the virus or not.

Professor Ward said he expects the number of cases in care homes to increase in the coming weeks.

The council monitors 270 homes across the county and those affected by the virus have implemented restrictions and infection prevention control measures.

Residents who tested positive have been isolated away from others and care workers looking after them have increased their personal protective equipment (PPE) use.

Professor Ward said public health officials were in regular contact with care homes and each facility had a "link person" to communicate with the council on infection prevention.

He said the care and support of those who tested positive is "especially robust" and carers were given the "appropriate PPE" to protect themselves.

Professor Ward said the number of cases in homes was expected to increase as the county was on an "upward trajectory."

"This is a virus that targets older people and people with underlying conditions who are often in care homes," he said.