More than 80 school pupils self-isolate after Covid outbreak

More than 80 pupils at a primary school in Aberdeen are self-isolating after three positive cases of Covid-19 were identified.

Three classes at Milltimber Primary School have been advised to self-isolate for ten days as a precaution after being identified as potential close contacts of the positive cases.

Aberdeen City Council said the cases are not linked and “there is no evidence of transmission of the virus in school”.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “Following investigation by the school leadership team and subsequent assessment by public health after three positive cases at Milltimber Primary School, NHS Grampian’s public health team has recommended that three classes of children (25, 25, and 33 pupils) are potential close contacts and require to self-isolate for ten days as a precautionary measure.

“There is no evidence of transmission of the virus in school and the cases are not linked. The school has effective mitigations in place in line with current guidance and these positive cases appear to be due to community transmission.

“Parents are currently being advised of the situation and contact tracers will speak with all families to offer advice and guidance. All other classes will continue to attend school.”

The news comes as Scotland recorded one coronavirus death and 490 cases in the past 24 hours.

It means the death toll under this daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – now stands at 7669.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said last week case numbers are rising across the country, adding they have increased by more than a quarter in the past week and by more than double since the early part of May.

The First Minister said also said the R number could be as high as 1.3, significantly driven by the situation in Glasgow and the Indian variant, which now accounts for 50% or more of daily cases.

The increase in cases is concentrated in younger age groups, she said, indicating that vaccination is having a protective effect.