Health chiefs in Fife urge calm after mum of primary pupil tests positive

Health chiefs in Fife have appealed for calm after it emerged the parent of a primary school child tested positive for Covid-19 and may have come into contact with others.

The woman, whose son attends Fair Isle Primary School in Kirkcaldy, was tested on Tuesday August 18 after displaying coronavirus symptoms but only found out her test results on Wednesday of this week, The Courier understands, by which time she had been out in the community.

NHS officials are now trying to ascertain who she may have come into contact with, where and when in the intervening eight-day period.

It is believed the woman had wrongly assumed she had tested negative after not hearing from the NHS testing centre within 48 hours.

NHS Fife say there is “no evidence at present” of any child attending the school while positive for the virus, and that the prevalence of Covid-19 across Fife remains low.

However, The Courier has learned a number of parents have taken the decision to pull their children out of Fair Isle Primary School – which remains open as usual – as a precaution.

NHS Fife deputy director of public health, Dr Esther Curnock, said: “We are aware of some concern in the Kirkcaldy area around a positive case of Covid-19 who has a child who attends Fair Isle Primary School.

“Importantly, there is no evidence at present of any child attending the school while positive for the virus and the prevalence of Covid-19 across Fife remains low.

“As with any positive case of Covid-19 in Fife, our test and protect team is in the process of identifying any individuals who they have been in prolonged close contact with while infectious.”

She continued: “Contact tracing is a proven method of preventing the spread of the virus and those contacts identified are being given public health advice and instructed to isolate for 14 days to limit the risk of potentially passing the virus to others.”

Officials are said to be investigating a number of reports that the woman may have visited shops in the town’s Birnam Road, and anyone with any concerns should arrange to get a test.

On wider advice for the population, Dr Curnock added: “Anyone who develops any of the established symptoms of the virus, such as a fever; or a loss or change in taste or smell; or a new and continuous cough, should be tested as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.”

Testing can be arranged using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal at nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 0800 028 2816.