There are reports of cases of Covid-19 at an Edinburgh primary school. Advice was given to parents of children attending Flora Stevenson Primary School at the weekend.
The school has around 600 pupils from nursery to Primary 7 at its traditional building in Comely Bank.
Now we have been told that with the contact tracing procedures NHS Lothian may have alerted up to 80 people who are, as a result, in self isolation.
NHS Lothian were asked for comment which they have now provided:
NHS Lothian’s Health Protection Team has completed COVID-19 contact tracing at Flora Stevenson Primary School.
The team has contacted all of the close contacts and advised them to self-isolate for 14 days and provided all necessary guidance and advice. The situation will be closely monitored.
The NHS Lothian Health Protection Team, education departments and council environmental health teams are working together to assess the situation and decide any next steps required.
To respect and maintain patient confidentiality, no further details will be released.
Enhanced cleaning measures are already in place in schools in line with national guidance.
The school remains open and all pupils, who have not been asked to self-isolate, should continue to attend as normal.
Everyone should continue to be vigilant and aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and take all precautions, such as maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing and wearing a face covering where appropriate.
A Council spokesperson said: “We are working with NHS Lothian’s Health Protection team and parents, and the wider school community have been provided with information and reassurance.
“We know that this occurrence may cause concern to some parents and children but we will continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice provided.”
Health protection teams at NHS Lothian will have identified those at risk because they were physically close enough to someone who tested positive.
This is part of the public health measures to try and interrupt community transmission of the virus. Health teams can identify those who have the virus and they then trace those people who could have it due to their proximity. Usually contact tracing is done by phone or text message and nobody is told the identity of the person who is infected unless they have given their permission.
The Protect Scotland app is also used to alert people if they have been in contact with someone who then tests positive for coronavirus. The school uses a text messaging system for alerting parents of emergency situations.
Flora Stevenson Primary School is associated with Broughton High School nearby as The City of Edinburgh Music School is based in both schools. This is unique in Edinburgh and provides those with musical talent a route to progress from primary school to secondary education while maintaining their musical development at the same time. Entrance to the music school is based on ability, and regular lessons and practice then follows.The retention of the music school was fought for by parents when it was in danger of being closed by the council due to funding cuts.
The half-term break at Edinburgh schools begins on 19 October 2020.
Remember FACTS:
- wear face coverings when you are out and about, but particularly in enclosed spaces
- avoid crowded places
- clean your hands and clean hard surfaces
- two metres distance from other households
- self-isolate and get tested if you have any of the symptoms
If you experience a high fever, persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, you must self-isolate and order a test through the NHS inform website www.nhsinform.scot.
You should get tested in the first three days of symptoms appearing, although testing is effective until day five. You won’t normally be tested after day five unless it’s for a specific reason. This will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.
Further information on COVID-19, including symptom checkers and general testing advice, is available on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/
A full list of FAQs for parents is also available on NHS Lothian’s website – https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Parents/Schools/Pages/default.asp
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