Published on:
09
September 2020
NHS Forth Valley’s Test and Protect team is carrying out COVID-19 contact tracing at Banchory Primary School in Tullibody.
Initial information suggests the virus was contracted outside of the school and there is no evidence at this stage of any transmission within the school premises.
The individual who has tested positive for the virus is self-isolating at home along with the rest of their household. To respect and maintain patient confidentiality, no further details will be given, but any close contacts of the individual have been identified and advised to self-isolate in line with national guidance. Robust control measures were already in place to protect the health of pupils and staff and the school remains open.
Dr Jennifer Champion, Public Health Consultant, NHS Forth Valley, said: “Apart from those who have been identified as close contacts, all other staff and pupils can continue to attend school as normal and do not require to self-isolate or book a test.
“It’s therefore important that we all stick to the guidelines to stop this virus spreading any further or faster in our local communities.
“This includes physical distancing and limiting the number of people you have contact with. No more than 8 people from a maximum of 3 households should gather indoors at a time and no more than 15 people from a maximum of 5 households should gather outdoors at a time and this includes meeting up with friends and families in pubs, restaurants or other venues.”
Lorraine Sanda, Clackmannanshire Council’s Chief Education Officer, said: “I know that parents and carers will be very concerned that an individual has tested positive for Covid-19 but I would like to reassure them that we have been and will continue to follow the strict Scottish Government and NHS guidelines regarding hygiene in our schools. We are also working closely with NHS Forth Valley’s Public Health team.”
Many precautions have been taken in Clackmannanshire Council’s schools to limit the areas pupils access and the people they have contact with. This limits the spread of the virus and means that, if a positive case of Covid-19 is identified in a school, Public Health teams can confidently identify who has been in contact with that person.
Parents/carers of any children who have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case have been advised that their child needs to self-isolate, in line with national guidance. Close contacts do not require to be tested unless they develop any symptoms of Covid-19 (new continuous cough, fever or loss/change in sense of taste and or smell). Even if your child is tested and the test is negative they still require to complete the advised period of self-isolation.
If a child is asked to stay home because they have been in contact with a confirmed case, other household members do not need to self-isolate providing all household members are well. Siblings can continue to attend school if they have not been identified as a close contact and no one in the household is unwell.
If you have not been advised that your child has been identified as a close contact then your child can continue to attend school providing they and the rest of the household are well.
Anyone with symptoms should book a test online or call 0800 028 2816.