But Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon continues to stress that, while Scotland accounts for a high proportion of UK cases, few people are experiencing serious symptoms.
The schools were spread across Argyll and Bute, Renfrewshire and Glasgow, including: Kirn, Innellan, Rothesay and Lochgoilhead primaries, Dunoon Grammar and Dunoon Primary (all Argyll and Bute); St David’s and Cochrane Castle primaries, Paisley Grammar and Gleniffer High (all Renfrewshire); Pollokshaws Day Nursery, Rosshall Academy and Shawlands Primary (all Glasgow).
Five had reopened: Apple Tree Nursery on Bute; Toward Primary, near Dunoon; Ladybird Nursery and Ravenscraig Primary, both in Greenock; and Glasgow’s Annette Street Primary.
A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said any decision on school closures was based on risk assessments carried out with NHS Highland and the Scottish Government Health Protection Agency. There is no need for deep cleaning or disinfecting during school closures, she added, as it would not serve any purpose.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said new cases were being detected quickly and that, although a small number of patients were in hospital, most of those affected were generally experiencing mild symptoms. “Scotland’s experience is comparable to many other countries, and there is no need for people to be unduly worried,” she said.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay at home and contact a GP, or NHS 24 T 08454 242424. Scottish Government advice for schools on what to do in a pandemic: www.scotland.gov.ukResourceDoc9240056376.pdf.
