Positive test scare at second school
NHS contact tracing team at Bathgate primary
A coronavirus case has been detected at a second primary school in Bathgate.
NHS Lothian Health Protection Team said it had completed Covid-19 contact tracing in Simpson Primary School last week after a pupil tested positive.
No other cases were identified within the school.
Meanwhile this week a worker at HMP Addiewell also tested positive for the virus, although the health board stressed none of the prisoners have been affected.
The news came as the most recent figures revealed there have been a further 291 cases of Covid-19 identified in the NHS Lothian area from this time last week, taking the figure to 3995 in total.
A spokesperson for the health board said of the case at Addiewell prison: “NHS Lothian’s Health Protection Team has completed Covid-19 contact tracing around HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.
“The team has identified a case within the NHS workforce in the prison and contacted all of the close contacts involved to advise them to self-isolate for 14 days.
“None of the residents of the prison are affected. All necessary guidance and advice is being provided and the situation will be closely monitored. The prison remains open.
“NHS Lothian, the Health Protection Team and HMP Addiewell are working together to assess the situation, and ensure that all contingency measures are in place.”
The spokesperson continued: “NHS Lothian Health Protection Team has completed Covid-19 contact tracing around Simpson Primary School.
“At this time there is no evidence of transmission within the school itself. To respect and maintain patient confidentiality, no further details will be released.
“The team has contacted all of the close contacts and advised them to self-isolate for 14 days and provided all necessary guidance and advice. The situation will be closely monitored.
“The NHS Lothian Health Protection Team, education departments and council environmental health teams worked together to assess the situation and decide any next steps required.
“Enhanced cleaning measures are already in place in schools in line with national guidance.”
West Lothian Council’s head of education, James Cameron, said: “We are working with NHS Lothian’s Health Protection team and parents and the wider school community have been provided with information and reassurance.
“We fully understand that parents and pupils may be concerned. We will continue to respond to advice from NHS Lothian and provide information and reassurance to parents and carers, pupils and staff. The school will also support any pupil whose education has been disrupted as a result of this occurrence and will support their home learning.”
We fully understand that parents and pupils may be concerned