Pupils at a Kirkcaldy school closed due to a Covid-19 outbreak among staff have tested positive for the virus.
Three children are now among the nine people at Sinclairtown Primary School known to have contracted coronavirus, including another three staff members.
Parents were told on Friday that the school will now remain closed until the October holiday, which starts in a fortnight.
And pupils in four more classes – P1B, P5B, P5A and P6A – and all staff have been told to self-isolate, in addition to those in P1A, P2 and some in P4 told to do so earlier in the week.
Transmission to pupils
NHS Fife said there was now evidence of transmission of the virus from staff to pupils, although it was not widespread.
In an update issued on Friday afternoon, it said: “A total of nine individuals with links to the school have now been confirmed as positive for the virus.
“All positive cases continue to experience relatively mild symptoms and are isolating at home with other household members.
𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
A further two cases linked to Sinclairtown Primary School in Kirkcaldy have tested positive for COVID-19.
A decision has been taken to close the school for the next two weeks.
📱https://t.co/syE0ukCFKt pic.twitter.com/Mku4X1YO5h
— NHS Fife (@nhsfife) September 25, 2020
“While there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus between pupils within the school, there is now evidence of some staff-to-pupil transmission within some classes, and a further three classes have been asked to self-isolate today.
“Contact tracers from the Test and Protect team are in the process of identifying and tracing the known contacts of all positive cases to provide public health support and advice.
“The decision has now been taken to close the school for the next two weeks.
“These measures are being put in place as an extra precaution to help us better manage this community cluster.”
“While there is no evidence of widespread transmission of the virus within the school, there is now evidence of limited staff-to-pupil transmission within some classes.”
NHS Fife
The school was closed for staffing reasons on Wednesday.
At that time, Fife Council education manager Gordon Wardrope said: “We appreciate this will create some anxiety, however, parents and carers should be assured that the safety of our pupils and staff remains our number one priority and we are continuing to follow public health advice around any actions required.”
The school is one of 10 in Fife where pupils have been sent home due to Covid-19 cases since the start of term, as the number of children diagnosed rises across the country.
Parents were directed for more information to questions and answers on the council’s website and local online support hub created to provide information on testing and updates on the pandemic.
A reminder was issued that anyone with symptoms of the virus – a fever, new and continuous cough, or a loss or change in the sense of taste or smell – should arrange testing using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Coronavirus in schools: Track the spread in staff and pupils in Tayside and Fife
