The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Nursery probe as virus fears grow
Newburgh ‘like a ghost town’, says worried mum
Schools in Fife and Tayside are the focus of national attention as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise.
Newburgh nursery remained closed yesterday after a child tested positive for Covid-19 as health officials continue to investigate the outbreak.
One mum said families were confused and afraid. “The school and Newburgh in general was like a ghost town with everyone I’ve spoken to very worried indeed,” she said.
Elsewhere, the outbreak at Kingspark in Dundee now totals 27 people. There are also positive cases – one each – at SS Peter and Paul School and Happy Times out-of-school club at Downfield Primary, both Dundee, as well as Oakbank Primary, Perth, and Newhill Primary, Blairgowrie.
It comes as Boris Johnson has told families south of the border that it is “absolutely vital” to get children back into school next month.
Media reports on the Fife and Tayside developments were among the most read and shared stories across the UK yesterday as parents raised fears about the potential dangers of reopening classrooms too soon.
“We understand that local people may be concerned. DR ESTHER CURNOCK
Investigations continue after a Fife child was confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19.
Public Health Fife said the child, who attends the nursery at Newburgh Primary School, has mild symptoms and is isolating at home with other household members.
While a link between the confirmed case and the nursery is being investigated, they say there is no evidence to suggest onward transmission within the nursery.
Dr Esther Curnock, deputy director of public health, said: “We understand that local people may be concerned.
“However, the risk of contracting coronavirus remains low.”
Many families kept their young ones from Newburgh Primary School and one worried parent said she had been left confused and frightened after being told to self-isolate with her four-year-old child, who attends the nursery, but was advised that her older children should continue to attend the primary school.
She said: “The school and Newburgh in general was like a ghost town with everyone I’ve spoken to very worried indeed.
“We have had no further update whatsoever from either the school or NHS Fife since the initial contact informing us that the child had tested positive.
“People are understandably very confused and it feels like there’s little or no idea what to do next.
Dr Daniel Chandler, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Tayside, said there may be more cases linked to the Kingspark outbreak.
“Due to the high level of tests undertaken among staff who work at the school, we may see a small rise.
“The actions and measures that have been put in place will help to prevent any further spread of infection and we hope to see the numbers of positive cases tail off over the coming days.”