Schools see big rise in self-isolation numbers
112 pupils at Crieff Primary
The number of people having to self-isolate from Perth and Kinross schools has more than doubled over a twoweek period.
The new figures released by Perth and Kinross Council reveal that between December 16-22, 178 pupils and/or staff had to self-isolate - a rise from the 82 recorded between December 9-15.
The bulk of that number comes from Crieff Primary School where 112 pupils and 11 staff members had to stay away after a maximum of seven positive cases.
It comes as the latest public COVID numbers for Perth and Kinross over the same period were released.
Between December 1521, 216 new cases were recorded with a seven-day positive rating per 100,000 of 142.2 and a seven-day test positivity rate of 5.5 per cent.
However, despite the rise, only four of the region’s schools in total saw people self-isolate due to positive cases from December 16-22 - two less than from the prior seven-day period.
Breadalbane Academy saw 25 pupils and no more than three staff self-isolate after at least two COVID cases.
Kinross High School had 19 pupils self-isolating after at least two cases.
And North Muirton Primary School saw seven pupils and at least one staff member self-isolate after cases were recorded.
Alyth Primary School, Letham Primary School, Rattray Primary School and Viewlands Primary School all confirmed cases but no pupil or staff were asked to self-isolate at any of the schools.
Another positive note came from Cornerstones Nursery in Blairgowrie which previously had 85 pupils and 17 staff members self-isolating between December 9-15 after at least nine cases.
But in the latest weekly statistics, the facility saw no pupils or staff having to selfisolate, despite confirming some cases.
Perth and Kinross Council has previously insisted there had been no evidence of inschool transmission.
A PKC spokesperson said earlier this month: “We take the safety of our children and young people extremely seriously and have robust risk assessments in place to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus.
“So far there has been no evidence of any transmission between children and young people in schools.
“Whenever there is a confirmed case, pupils and staff who are identified as close contacts are asked to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.
“Pupils are supported to learn at home until they can return to school.”