Headteacher calls for calm after covid case
Pupil is at Coltness High
There have been moves to calm parents fears after a pupil at a Wishaw high school tested positive for Covid-19.
Parents and carers were sent an email earlier this week stating a pupil at Coltness High School had tested positive for the virus.
Dr Femi Oshin, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, said: “NHS Lanarkshire’s test and protect team is carrying out contact tracing after a pupil at Coltness High School in Wishaw tested positive for Covid-19.
“The pupil is self-isolating at home. All parents of the year group have been contacted and given isolation advice.”
Despite the positive test, the school’s headteacher John McGilp insists it is very much “business as usual” with all the new guidelines being followed.
Mr McGilp said: “We fully understand that parents and pupils may be anxious at this time, but I have been greatly encouraged by the community’s confidence in the systems in place to deal with these situations.
“Support is available in the school to any pupils or parents who may be concerned and they should approach their PT pupil support for advice.
“It’s important that we all follow government and NHS advice in relation to hand hygiene, face coverings and physical distancing.
“I understand that this can be challenging but our young people have been a real credit since they returned to school and everyone needs to keep following the guidance.
“As always, anyone who has any Covid-19 symptoms, such as a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell, even if they are mild, should stay off school.
“Information on how to access testing is available from NHS Inform.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the school for their tremendous support in implementing health and safety measures and supporting pupils and parents through these challenging times.”
NHS Lanarkshire’s Test and Protect service will continue to contact anyone who may be affected.
The healthboard’s incident management team continues to meet daily and robust contact tracing continues.
The positive test at Coltness High is just one of several that have taken place at various schools across North Lanarkshire since the new school term began.
Several pupils at three Monklands secondary schools tested positive for the virus last month.
Derek Brown, executive director of education and families at North Lanarkshire Council, added: “We fully understand that parents and pupils will be anxious.
“No blame is attached to anyone who is interviewed by Test and Protect, but it is important that as much information as possible is given.
“In addition, pupil support within schools is available to any pupil who is anxious or has concerns.”