A school pupil at Caldervale High School, Airdrie, has tested positive for Covid-19.
The pupil, who is self-isolating at home along with immediate family, attended school on Thursday, 13 August only.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that there is transmission in the school and the risk to the wider school community has currently been assessed as low. This follows a full risk assessment of Caldervale High School by NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council.
NHS Lanarkshire’s Test and Protect are in the process of tracing other close contacts. The team has also identified that the likely source of transmission has been as a result of indoor social gatherings.
All parents of the school have been notified. The school will be open as normal tomorrow.
The identification of this new positive case is linked to and forms part of NHS Lanarkshire’s community-wide investigation which includes confirmation of three pupils from St Ambrose High School in Coatbridge and one pupil at St Andrew’s High School in Coatbridge testing positive for Covid-19 along with three other linked cases who are not pupils or staff at the schools. This makes eight cases in total.
Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, said: “A positive Covid-19 confirmed case has been identified in a pupil at Caldervale High School.
“There is currently no evidence of transmission in the school. There is evidence that mixing socially in the community, particularly around social gatherings in houses, without maintaining physical distancing measures can transmit the virus and is a factor in this investigation.
“Our Test and Protect service is contacting anyone who may have been in close contact with the case. NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with North Lanarkshire Council and the school to identify all close contacts of the case who are being given public health advice and being told to self-isolate.
“With the route of transmission likely to be through indoor social gatherings, I would urge all parents and young people to stick to the Scottish Government rules in order to avoid future cases within the community resulting in cases in the local schools.”
No more than eight people from a maximum of three households are allowed to gather indoors. Social distancing applies to anyone from separate households, unless they are under the age of 12.
Dr Cromie added: “We are aware that there will still be concern both for pupils and their parents/carers at this time and I wanted to reassure them that all settings which the individual has 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 pupils 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.”
Derek Brown, executive director, education and families, at North Lanarkshire Council, said, “The council is fully supporting the incident management team, led by NHS Lanarkshire, and its test and protect activity.
“We will continue to respond to advice from NHS Lanarkshire and provide information and reassurance to parents and carers, pupils and staff. We fully understand that parents and pupils will be anxious. No blame is attached to anyone who is interviewed by Test and Protect but it is important that as much information as possible is given. In addition, pupil support within schools is available to any pupil who is anxious or has concerns.”
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.
The Incident Management Team continues to meet daily. To respect and maintain patient confidentiality, no further details will be released at this time.
