Coronavirus risk to pupils and staff at Fife high school where pupil tested positive remains low

The move comes after NHS Fife confirmed a pupil at Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline had tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

The health board says the positive case continues to have mild symptoms and remains isolating at home with other household members.

It says there continues to be no evidence of any onward transmission within the school at this stage and the risk to pupils and staff remains low.

A number of close contacts of the pupil have been identified and are in the process of being contacted by members of the Test and Protect team.

Fife Council has confirmed that as an initial precaution pupils from one class at the high school, and those who travelled on the Kingseat QA14 bus on Friday, August 28, were asked to stay home on Tuesday.

Following a further risk assessment those who travelled on the school bus are permitted to return to school on Wednesday, however those from the class who were asked to stay at home are being contacted by the Test and Protect team and must self-isolate for 14 days from August 28.

Dr Esther Curnock, NHS Fife deputy director of Public Health, said: “NHS Fife’s Health Protection Team have been working closely with our colleagues at Fife Council’s education department to identify any close contacts and we remain satisfied that the risk of contracting coronavirus remains low.

“Our Test and Protect Team are currently in the process of contacting the families of those who have come into close contact with the positive case to provide appropriate public health support and advice.

“We continue to encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, to get tested using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal or by calling 0800 028 2816.”

Gordon Wardrope, Fife Council Education Manager, added: "We are continuing to follow Public Health advice and are working with NHS Fife around any actions which may be required.

“Following advice from NHS Fife’s Public Health Team, and as an initial precaution, we asked all pupils from one specific class and those who travelled on the Kingseat QA14 bus on Friday, August 28, to stay at home.

“Following a further Risk Assessment by NHS Fife, we have been advised that those on the Kingseat bus can safely return to school tomorrow (02/09).

"Those children from the class who were asked to stay at home yesterday are being contacted by the NHS Test and Protect Team and must self-isolate for 14 days from August 28, 2020.

"Those pupils can return to school on Friday, September 11 providing they remain symptom-free.”

A list of questions and answers for parents and carers can be found on the council’s website here

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