NHS Lanarkshire is currently carrying out a community-wide investigation after three pupils at St Ambrose High School in Coatbridge tested positive for COVID-19, and one pupil at St Andrew’s High School in Coatbridge tested positive for COVID-19.
A fifth case, who is linked to these but is not a school pupil, has also been identified.
All the cases are self-isolating at home along with immediate family. NHS Lanarkshire Test and Protect has traced other close contacts who are also self-isolating.
NHS Lanarkshire director of public health Gabe Docherty said: “The first pupil at St Ambrose tested positive on 13 August, after displaying mild symptoms since 11 August. A second pupil, a close contact of the first outside of the school, also tested positive yesterday. Neither attended the school at all.
“The third pupil at St Ambrose, a close contact of the other two outside of the school, tested positive this morning (14 August) and was present at school for around 20 minutes yesterday (13 August). This pupil had limited contact with any other pupils while in school for this period. The pupil was immediately isolated and was taken home to self-isolate for 14 days.
“The pupil at St Andrew’s tested positive this morning (14 August) and had attended school for a relatively short period of time yesterday, with limited contact with a defined number of individuals, therefore the risk to other pupils and staff has been assessed as being very low.
“No case has serious illness.
“NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with North Lanarkshire Council with regard to these cases and has promptly identified close contacts. Public health advice is being given to these individuals and they are being told to self-isolate.
“Our test and protect service will continue to contact anyone who may be affected and following the findings of a review this afternoon, the risk to the wider school community is low.
“The Incident Management Team continues to meet daily and robust contact tracing continues.”
NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine Dr Jennifer Darnborough said: “The team is investigating any potential links to the wider community which is impacting on schools.
“There is evidence that mixing socially in the community without maintaining physical distancing measures can transmit the virus. It should be noted that given the current picture, there is no evidence presently to suggest that there is transmission in schools but people are asked to remain vigilant and practise physical distancing guidance.
“We are aware that there will still be concern among both children and their parents at this time. I can reassure them that all settings which these individuals have attended during their infectious period are being identified and assessed.
“We want to take this opportunity to remind people that good hand hygiene is essential to combat transmission of the virus and children and staff should wash their hands thoroughly and regularly using soap and water for 20 seconds.
“Individuals should stay off school or work and get tested if they experience any COVID symptoms, such a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell, even if they are mild. Information on how to access testing is available from NHS Inform.”
To respect and maintain patient confidentiality no further details will be released at this time.
