Pupils at two schools ordered to self- isolate
A “small number of pupils” from two secondary schools in South Ayrshire are self isolating after having contact with someone infected with Covid- 19.
Teenagers from Marr College and Prestwick Academy have been told to stay at home for 14 days.
A health protection team has been carrying out contact tracing with the “small number” of pupils who have been in the presence of a coronavirus infection case.
An NHS Ayrshire & Arran boss said “every measure is being taken to protect” them.
Both schools remain open and it is understood parents have been informed about the situation.
Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter said: “School headteachers and the local authority must take whatever steps are necessary to protect the pupils, staff and their families.”
Dr Crawford McGuffie, medical director at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Health Protection Team is conducting a contact tracing exercise with a small number of pupils in two South Ayrshire Council secondary schools who have had contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus ( COVID- 19) infection.
“These individuals are being contacted by the Test and Protect team and told to selfisolate at home for 14 days.
“We appreciate this is a very worrying time. However, we would like to assure people that every measure is being taken to protect pupils and staff.”
It comes as all secondary pupils begin wearing masks in corridors and communal areas from Monday.
The common cold has been sweeping through schools in South Ayrshire since they reopened with children coming home with runny noses and coughs.
It left some parents with fears their children could have coronavirus symptoms.
Last week NHS Ayrshire & Arran warned of a spike in people trying to get coronavirus tests after children returned to classrooms. The health board said only those with specific symptoms need tests.
It is understood some people trying to book tests in the area were offered slots as far away as Northern Ireland.
On Monday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed there is a cluster of Covid- 19 cases in Ayrshire & Arran and government officials said 22 positive cases of Covid- 19 are linked to indoor house parties which took place last weekend.
Ms Sturgeon said: “That cluster currently has 22 positive cases, although that figure is likely to be updated .” .
Ayr MSP John Scott added: “A rise in the number of positive Covid- 19 cases in Ayrshire over the last week show that while we are on the right path out of the pandemic locally, we certainly cannot drop our guard.
“I have also been in touch with the Scottish Government this week over some concerns about the availability of tests locally and will continue to follow this up to help ensure any issues are identified and sorted out.”
In a leaked document from South Ayrshire Council chief executive, Eileen Howat, states: “The Covid 19 Response team is making preparations to ensure emergency provision can be stood back up in the event of a local or pan- Ayrshire lockdown.”
A council spokesperson said: “NHS Ayrshire and Arran has been working with the three Ayrshire Councils, to develop a pan- Ayrshire procedure, so partners can respond to a localised outbreak of COVID- 19.
“There is no evidence to suggest that Ayrshire is heading for a localised lockdown, but if this were to happen, we are confident that essential services would be maintained.”