Three pupils at separate primary schools in Scotland have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Renfrewshire Council said a case has been confirmed at Todholm Primary School in Paisley, while two cases have been detected among pupils in Perth and Kinross.
One pupil attends Newhill Primary School in Blairgowrie while the other attends Oakbank Primary School in Perth, and both are self-isolating at home with mild symptoms along with their immediate family members.
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NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council said in a joint statement that the schools will remain open as 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 as low by public health specialists.
The health board’s health protection team has identified 41 close contacts of the positive cases, who include some school pupils and staff, who have all been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14 days from Friday 14 August as a precautionary measure.
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Authorities said there was no evidence of any link to the cluster of cases in Coupar Angus, which led to the closure of the 2 Sisters food factory, and there was no evidence of wider community spread.
Jacquie Pepper, depute director of education and children’s services at Perth and 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.”
In Renfrewshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said a problem assessment group (PAG) has systematically established a list of close contacts within the school.
Test and Protect staff are now contacting those identified, who are being advised to self-isolate and being given appropriate advice and support.
Renfrewshire Council said: “We are following the advice of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who have undertaken a careful risk assessment.
“They are advising there is no current evidence the virus has been transmitted inside the school and that it remains safe for pupils and staff to attend.
“The Test and Protect team are currently contacting any individuals who have been in close contact with the pupil and advising them to self-isolate at home.
“The health of our pupils and staff is our biggest priority and we will continue to follow the advice of our health service colleagues over how best to protect that.”
The news of the cases follows a warning yesterday from Scotland’s national clinical director over parents crowding outside schools and pupils attending school after foreign travel.
Professor Jason Leitch said at yesterday’s daily Scottish government coronavirus briefing that people were running the risk of spreading the virus to each other, their families and their loved ones.
