Covid cases linked to additional support needs school rises

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in adults linked to an additional support needs school has risen to eight.

On Tuesday, NHS Tayside’s health protection team was made aware of a single case connected to Kingspark School in Dundee.

By Wednesday the health board and Dundee City Council took the decision to close the school until the end of the week after the number of linked cases rose to six.

In an update on Thursday, NHS Tayside said there were now eight positive cases in adults connected to the school.

The health board, city council and partners are working closely to investigate the cases and investigations are ongoing.

Dr Ellie Hothersall, consultant in public health medicine with NHS Tayside, said: “We would like to reassure parents that we are continuing to work closely with our council colleagues.

“All staff and identified close contacts of positive cases have been advised to self-isolate and are being offered testing.”

Kingspark School has around 185 pupils aged between five and 18. All of the youngsters have complex additional support needs and many have additional physical disabilities or medical problems.

The school is currently undergoing a deep clean as a precautionary measure.

A decision on whether it will reopen on Monday will be taken by the council and NHS Tayside and communicated to families in advance.

Paul Clancy, executive director of Dundee City Council’s children and families service, said: “The city council and NHS Tayside continue to work together on thorough investigations.

“All staff can get access to testing. We will advise families as soon as we can about when Kingspark will reopen.

“Keeping pupils and staff save is our paramount concern.”