Pupils and staff forced to isolate as child falls ill
A PRIMARY school was yesterday at the centre of a Covid-19 Test and Protect investigation after NHS chiefs confirmed a positive case.
Health chiefs asked a number of staff and pupils at Todholm Primary School in Paisley, Renfrewshire, to self-isolate after a pupil was confirmed to have the virus.
NHS bosses said other staff and pupils could continue to attend school as normal, and there is currently no evidence to suggest there is transmission within the school.
Dr Catriona Milosevic, consultant in public health medicine, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: ‘Close contacts are being advised to self-isolate and being given appropriate advice.
‘We are working closely with Todholm Primary School and Renfrewshire Council to do this.’
It comes as investigations are carried out into a number of new coronavirus clusters, including two which have been linked to school pupils and house parties.
A senior health official also warned yesterday that children have been attending school who should be in quarantine following travel abroad.
Jason Leitch, Scotland’s national clinical director, said there have been ‘a number of cases’ where children have returned to school immediately after holidays in countries on the quarantine list.
Anyone visiting these countries – which include France, Spain and Portugal – now need to self-isolate at home for 14 days on their return.
Scottish Government officials have written to council education bosses to warn about the breaches of quarantine restrictions.
Mr Leitch said: ‘I must remind you that the law requires everyone returning to Scotland from nonexempt countries to self-isolate at home for 14 days. This includes children as well as adults.’
Nicola Sturgeon also said yesterday that she would keep guidance on whether or not older pupils should wear face coverings while at school under review.
Meanwhile, health officials have confirmed that cases in Glasgow and Lanarkshire are linked.
An additional coronavirus case was confirmed in a pupil at Bannerman High School in Baillieston, Glasgow, via the Test and Protect service.
NHSGGC confirmed 14 positive cases in the cluster, a number of whom are pupils.
The health board’s Dr Iain Kennedy said: ‘We can confirm there are links between this cluster and cases within Lanarkshire Health Board.
‘There is currently no evidence of transmission in the schools.
‘There is evidence that mixing socially, particularly around social gatherings in houses, without maintaining physical distancing measures can transmit the virus and is a factor in these investigations.’
NHS Lanarkshire is also carrying out an investigation after three pupils from St Ambrose High School and one from St Andrew’s High School, both in Coatbridge, tested positive. A fifth case, who is linked to these but is not a pupil themself, was also identified.
Meanwhile, the 2 Sisters food processing plant in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, has been closed after four members of staff tested positive for the virus.
A further three workers are awaiting results as NHS Tayside said arrangements are being made for the testing of employees.
The Scottish Government yesterday announced up to 65,000 tests a day will be carried out as part of efforts to prepare for winter, from a maximum of 40,000 tests a day now.
‘Links with cases in Lanarkshire’