Local MP John Swinney says that two Perthshire school pupils testing positive for Covid-19 is “important news”.
Politicians have been reacting to last night’s joint statement from NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council that revealed the positive tests.
One pupil attends Newhill Primary School in Blairgowrie and the other attends Oakbank Primary School in Perth.
The two children are currently self-isolating at home with mild symptoms along with their immediate family members.
Political reaction
Newhill is within Mr Swinney’s Perthshire North constituency. The MSP and Education Secretary tweeted: “Important news from @PerthandKinross and @NHSTayside that two pupils have tested positive for COVID-19.
“This is worrying news and all measures are being taken to keep everyone safe. Please follow all guidance to reduce potential transmission at all times.”
Important news from @PerthandKinross and @NHSTayside that two pupils have tested positive for COVID-19. This is worrying news and all measures are being taken to keep everyone safe. Please follow all guidance to reduce potential transmission at all times. https://t.co/D2tWQLAmzB
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 18, 2020
Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, tweeted: “Further COVID cases in Perthshire. All is being done to contain, track and trace but please remember FACTS iif you’re out and about.”
Further COVID cases in Perthshire. All is being done to contain, track and trace but please remember FACTS iif you’re out and about. https://t.co/otsVLl11VJ
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) August 18, 2020
Schools to stay open
The authorities say there is currently no evidence to suggest that there is any transmission of Covid-19 within either of the schools and the risk to staff and other pupils has been assessed by public health specialists as low.
They also state there is no evidence of any link to the reported cluster in Coupar Angus which led to the closure of the 2 Sisters factory and there is no evidence of wider community spread.
NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team has identified 41 close contacts of the positive cases, which includes some school pupils and staff.
As a precaution, all of these contacts have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. NHS contact tracers will follow up all of the identified contacts to provide further advice and information.
Dr Emily Stevenson, from NHS Tayside’s Health Protection team said: “These two positive cases in Perth and Kinross schools are experiencing mild symptoms. Their confidentiality must be respected and no further details can be released about individual cases.
“This will be a worrying time for parents. However, there is no evidence of wider transmission and children should attend school as normal.”
Jacquie Pepper, depute director of education and children’s services
“NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council worked very quickly together and we are confident that we have identified everyone who is required to self-isolate.
“Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, such a cough, fever or loss of or change in senses of taste or smell, even if they are mild, should stay off school or work and seek Covid-19 testing. Information on how to access testing is available from NHS Inform.”
Jacquie Pepper, the council’s depute director of education and children’s services at Perth & Kinross Council, said: “We hope both children who have tested positive for Covid-19 make a full and speedy recovery.
‘Worrying time for parents’
“We have worked closely with NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team and wish to reassure parents that all settings which these pupils have attended during their infectious period have been identified. Close contacts have been asked to self-isolate as a precaution.
“This will be a worrying time for parents. However, there is no evidence of wider transmission and children should attend school as normal.”
The Courier Schools team carried out an extensive survey of Tayside and Fife parents earlier this month and found high levels of concern about the risk of Covid spreading in the classroom.
It found over a third of parents of primary school pupils were “very concerned”.
At secondary level, almost 85% of parents with a child in secondary school are concerned – 48.8% of them very concerned – about the virus spreading now pupils are back in full-time education.
Full statement
The 384-word statement was issued at 12.06am. It said:
Two school pupils from Perth and Kinross have tested positive for COVID-19. The two children are currently self-isolating at home with mild symptoms along with their immediate family members.
One pupil attends Newhill Primary School in Blairgowrie and the other attends Oakbank Primary School in Perth. There is currently no evidence to suggest that there is any transmission of COVID-19 within either of the schools and the risk to staff and other pupils has been assessed by public health specialists as low. Therefore, the schools will remain open.
NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team has identified 41 close contacts of the positive cases, which includes some school pupils and staff. As a precautionary measure, all of these contacts have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14 days, counting from Friday 14 August. NHS contact tracers will follow up all of the identified contacts to provide further advice and information.
There is no evidence of any link to the reported cluster in Coupar Angus which led to the closure of the 2 Sisters factory and there is no evidence of wider community spread.
Dr Emily Stevenson from NHS Tayside’s Health Protection team said: “These two positive cases in Perth & Kinross schools are experiencing mild symptoms. Their confidentiality must be respected and no further details can be released about individual cases.
“NHS Tayside and Perth & Kinross Council worked very quickly together and we are confident that we have identified everyone who is required to self isolate.
“Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, such a cough, fever or loss of or change in senses of taste or smell, even if they are mild, should stay off school or work and seek COVID-19 testing. Information on how to access testing is available from NHS Inform.”
Jacquie Pepper, Depute Director, Education and Children’s Services at Perth & Kinross Council, said: “We hope both children who have tested positive for COVID-19 make a full and speedy recovery.
“We have worked closely with NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team and wish to reassure parents that all settings which these pupils have attended during their infectious period have been identified. Close contacts have been asked to self-isolate as a precaution.
“This will be a worrying time for parents, however, there is no evidence of wider transmission and children should attend school as normal”.
