Ayr Hospital staff were self-isolating after coming into contact with a positive case of coronavirus at a Christmas party.
The staff from the radiology department attended a night out at the Lochside Hotel in New Cumnock earlier this month.
A source close to the department has revealed the group of NHS workers were ready to drop their plans after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised against Christmas parties.
However, the group would have been left out of pocket after booking the bash on Saturday, December 11 at the plush venue six months in advance.
The team are said to have all taken lateral flow tests prior to their party night which all returned negative results.
But after they enjoyed a night of festive fun, they were dealt a blow with one staff member testing positive on another round of lateral flows.
Contact tracing was then involved and the full team had to sit out work whilst waiting on a PCR test – which all returned negative.
Health chiefs confirmed that some staff were deployed from other areas as department staff awaited their results.
Joanne Edwards, the health board's director of acute services, said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Test and Protect team have carried out a contact tracing exercise within a department at University Hospital Ayr following a number of staff being in contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.
“The staff identified have been contacted by Test and Protect and advised to self-isolate and book a PCR test in line with national guidance. Staff have been deployed from other areas to ensure continued patient care and service delivery.
“To respect and maintain confidentiality, it is not possible to release any further information at this time.
“With the increasing numbers of the Omicron variant of coronavirus circulating in our communities, it is already having a negative impact across our health and social care system.
“NHS Ayrshire & Arran has well established procedures in place to help mitigate and stop the spread of Covid-19. We appreciate this is a very worrying time, however, we would like to assure people that every measure is being taken to protect patients and staff.
“We are grateful to our staff who continue to work tirelessly under challenging conditions.”
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