The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife primary shut down by new cases
ADun f e rm l in e school struck by Covid-19 has been closed for the remainder of the term. The number of people linked with Carnegie Primary School to test positive for coronavirus has risen to seven.
It is the second school in the region to close due to the virus this term , following Sinclairtown Primary in Kirkcaldy.
More infections have also been confirmed at other schools in Fife and a nursery in Dundee.
Another person at Beath High School, Cowdenbeath, has tested positive , bringing the total there to four, as has a second member of staff at Jessie Porter Nursery in Dundee.
Single cases have also been con f irmed at Canongate Primary School, St Andrews, Donibristle Primary School, Dalgety Bay, and the nursery at Foulford Primary School.
Announcing the closure of Carnegie Primary School on Tuesday evening, NHS Fife said: “A total of seven individuals with links to the school have now been confirmed as positive for the virus.
“Following further investigation and risk assessment, a decision has been taken to close the school building from today... due to staffing issues.”
The school will remain closed until after the holiday, reopening on October 26, however the nursery remains open.
Children in several classes and a number of members of staff are required to isolate, but assurance was given that remote learning will be in place for the remainder of the term.
Among the school ’s pupils are sons of Fife Council education and children’s services convener Fay Sinclair.
She said: “Having watched the number of cases rise across Fife over the past few weeks, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that we’d be impacted, but no parent wants to get that GroupCa l l message midweek that their school is closed.
“Communication from the school has been really good.
“As soon as the decision was taken to close the school , the blended learning contingency plans kicked in and messages went to parents letting them know what to expect.”
She said tasks had been set for her children for the morning , with online lessons in the afternoon, and that the school was in contact with families unable to access online learning.
She added: “It’s still a challenging juggling act as a working parent, so for our sake as well as the children’s I’m hopeful they can all get back to school after the October break.”
The P6/7 composite class at Canongate, P7 class at Donibristle, and children in Bumblebee rooms one and two at the nursery are required to isolate as a precaution.
Parents were directed for more information to questions and answers on the council’s website, as well as a local online support hub, created to provide information on testing and updates on the pandemic.
A reminder was issued that anyone with symptoms of the virus – a fever, new and continuous cough, or a loss or change in the sense of taste or smell – should arrange testing using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal or by calling 0800 028 2816.