Hundreds of pupils forced to self-isolate

Council releases new figures

Over 250 people were told to self-isolate from Perth and Kinross schools earlier this month due to COVID outbreaks.

PKC figures show that between April 21 and 27, 232 pupils and 20 staff stayed away across six schools.

St John’s RC Academy saw the most forced to self-isolate with 67 pupils and at least one staff member following five positive cases.

Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School asked 54 pupils to self-isolate and at least one staff member following at least one positive case.

Tulloch Primary School saw 47 pupils and four staff self-isolate and Letham Primary School saw 37 pupils and five staff self-isolate after three confirmed cases.

Positive cases at Craigie Primary School saw 27 pupils and nine staff stay away from education facilities.

Perth Academy also saw at least one person self-isolate for at least one positive case.

No school staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during this period.

The figures mark a stark rise from the week prior, between April 14 and 20, when only 22 pupils and 11 staff were asked to self-isolate across all education facilities in Perth and Kinross.

The council states that pupils and staff are only asked to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive. The Scottish Government has also said previously that it is not always known whether someone caught the virus in school or in the community.

A council spokesperson said: “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.

“We have an established process in place to deal with any cases of COVID-19 identified amongst pupils and staff in our schools in line with national and local health guidance.

“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.

“For clarity regarding the figures, there would be no requirement for other pupils and/or staff to self-isolate where no close contacts of confirmed cases have been identified.”