Virus rate hits high for kids

Covid infections in children are now the highest ever recorded in Scotland.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland show that weekly infections in 0 to 14 year olds reached 1,064 on June 7. It is higher than the peak in early January.

There is no evidence that children are becoming seriously ill, but growing numbers are off school.

The Express revealed last Saturday how almost 200 positive covid cases had been identified in Renfrewshire schools in the previous fortnight.

Documents showed that 189 pupils and staff across 26 schools had tested positive for the virus in the 14 days after May 20.

But many more schools have since recorded new infections, with eight primaries, nurseries and high schools noting new cases since Monday.

Nationally, provisional figures indicate 15,687 pupils were absent for covid-related reasons at the end of last week, with overall attendance dropping to 87.8 per cent.

The UK regulator confirmed last week that the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine has been approved for use in children aged 12 to 15.

The potential rollout has been backed by Scottish Government adviser Professor Devi Sridhar.