Nursery school closed and children isolate after Covid ‘cluster’

A Fife nursery has been closed after a Covid outbreak.

Three nursery schools and four primaries in the kingdom have asked families to keep children at home.

It is understood the cases were all identified last week when pupils in P1-P3 were in school alongside pre-schoolers and children of keyworkers,

Pitreavie Kindergarten in Dunfermline has been closed for a short period after a number of staff were asked to isolate as a precaution.

There are six positive cases connected to the nursery.

Several individuals connected to Aberhill Primary School in Methil are among those required to isolate after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.

A “cluster” of positive cases has also been confirmed among staff associated with Kirkcaldy West Primary School.

An NHS Fife spokesperson said: “We are aware of a cluster of Covid-19 cases amongst staff associated with the school. A total of nine individuals have tested positive for Covid-19.”

There have also been cases of the virus at Halbeath Nursery in Dunfermline, Newport Primary School, Pitreavie Primary School, in Dunfermline, and the nursery school at Newburgh Primary.

In each of the cases it has not been confirmed whether the cases related to staff or pupils.

Meanwhile, a nursery school connected to Milnathort Primary School, in Kinross-shire, was closed yesterday after an outbreak.

Parents were informed on Monday morning after several children and staff tested positive.

Children were also asked to stay home from school two weeks ago following cases in Fife and Angus.

Angus Council confirmed Strathmore Primary School in Forfar had two cases of the virus and a number of children were asked to isolate.

Dunnikier Primary School, Kirkcaldy, also had cases between March 1 and March 7.

NHS Fife has been releasing weekly information relating to Covid cases in schools and nurseries following the return to school on February 22.

“We

are aware of a cluster of Covid-19 cases

A Fife man has appeared in court charged with possessing indecent images of children and sending a high-profile footballer a racist message.

Kirk Thompson, 22, made a brief appearance at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in private on a petition alleging that on March 9 he acted in a racially aggravated manner which caused, or was intended to cause, alarm or distress to a person by sending a racist message via an online application.

The alleged communication in question is said to have been sent via Instagram to Middlesbrough winger Yannick Bolasie, who is currently on loan from Premier League side Everton.

Thompson, of Ravens Craig, Kirkcaldy, is also accused of possessing indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children at his address between August 12, 2020, and March 10, 2021, and taking or permitting to be taken indecent photographs or psuedophotographs between the same dates.

A further charge alleges that Thompson was in possession of cannabis at his address on March 10.

Defence solicitor Megan Davidson appeared on behalf of Thompson, who made no plea or declaration before Sheriff Grant Mcculloch.

Thompson was committed for further examination and was released on bail. He is due to make a further court appearance at a later date.

Yannick Bolasie.