Number of pupils isolating expected to fall

Four in 10 schoolchildren across Scotland self-isolated due to Covid-19 during the last school year.

Figures released by the Scottish Government illustrate the impact of the pandemic while schools were open.

Data was also issued yesterday showing the impact of the pandemic this term as the number of recorded cases hit a record high.

Pupils in Dundee were more likely to selfisolate for at least half a day (47%) than the national average.

Fife and Perth and Kinross schools were in line with the Scottish rate, while Angus schools were at 26%.

We looked at the number of pupils who had missed several days of school due to being close contacts of a Covid case or testing positive themselves.

Again, Dundee had a higher proportion (26%) self-isolating for at least a week than the national average of 21%.

In Fife and Perth and Kinross, 21% and 20%, respectively, selfisolated, while in Angus the figure was 11%.

A total of 29% of those in the most deprived areas had to isolate for at least a week compared to 17% in the least deprived.

Although the number of cases of Covid-19 was reported on Wednesday to have hit a record high, levels of selfisolation in schools remained relatively low.

The proportion of pupils off school for any Covid-related reason on Tuesday ranged between 1% and 1.4% in Tayside and Fife, with a total of 152 absences for Covid-related sickness.

During the last term parents had complained about “confusing” selfisolation rules.

Requirements have changed this term with more targeted contact tracing and a shorter isolation period fewer pupils will miss school and for less time.