Concern after Kirkcaldy pupil's parent tests positive for coronavirus

NHS Fife bosses have issued a statement to reassure parents after it emerged a Kirkcaldy pupil's parent tested positive for coronavirus.

It is understood the parent, whose child attends Fair Isle Primary School , was tested on August 18 after displaying symptoms but only found out her test results on Wednesday, by which time she had been out and about in the local area.

NHS Fife are now trying to find out who the parent may have come into contact with during that time.

It is believed the parent had wrongly assumed the test was negative after not hearing back from the NHS testing centre within 48 hours.

However, NHS Fife said there is “no evidence at present” of any child attending the school while positive for the virus, and that incidences of Covid-19 across the Kingdom remains low.

In a statement on the NHS Fife Facebook page it said: “We are aware of some concern in the Kirkcaldy area around a positive case of Covid-19 who has a child who attends Fair Isle Primary School. Importantly, there is no evidence at present of any child attending the school while positive for the virus and the prevalence of the Covid-19 across Fife remains low.

"As with any positive case of Covid-19 in Fife, our Test and Protect team is in the process of identifying any individuals who they have been in prolonged close contact with whilst infectious.

"Contact tracing is a proven method of preventing the spread of the virus and those contacts identified are being given public health advice and instructed to isolate for 14 days to limit the risk of potentially passing the virus to others.

"There are a number of useful resources available for parents in Fife, with information on how best to reduce the chances of your family contracting the virus and what you should do if someone in the household develops symptoms. These can be accessed through our dedicated coronavirus website, at

https://coronavirus.nhsfife.org/parent-info.

It added: “Anyone who develops any of the established symptoms of the virus, such as a fever; or a loss or change in taste or smell; or a new and continuous cough, is tested as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. Testing can be arranged using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal at:

https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 0800 028 2816.”