Additional support needs school closes after Covid outbreak

A school for children with additional support needs has closed following an outbreak of coronavirus.

The Ogilvie School Campus in West Lothian will be closed until December 1 after cases were detected.

Staff at the Livingston school have been asked to isolate and children told to stay at home.

Cederbank, another additional support needs school, has also reported cases of the virus, as have high schools and primaries across the county.

The schools affected are: Broxburn Academy; St Kentigern’s Academy, Blackburn; Whitburn Academy; Boghall Primary School, Bathgate; Croftmalloch Primary, Whitburn; East Calder Primary School ; Eastertoun Primary, Armadale; Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackburn; St Anthony’s Primary School, Armadale and Bathgate Early Years Centre.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Whilst a number of schools have been impacted by Covid-19 in the last week, this number is reducing and still only involves a small percentage of pupils.

“The majority of pupils and staff contracting Covid-19 is through community transmission out with school.

“We would appeal to all West Lothian parents/carers and pupils to help us reduce the spread of Covid-19. When a child attends schools with Covid-19 symptoms, it often means that a number of their classmates have to isolate as a result.

“Children should attend school as normal, unless one of the reason below apply: they are showing symptoms of Covid-19 – a new, continuous cough; fever; or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste; someone in their household has the above symptoms; they are waiting for the results of a Covid-19 test; they have been asked to isolate by Test and Protect; or they have returned to the UK from any country out with the exempt list in the last 14 days.

“Anyone who needs specific advice on their situation concerning Covid-19 and attending school should call the NHS on 111. They can also speak to their school to discuss their situation in confidence.”

Reporting by local democracy reporter Stuart Sommerville