Primary school closes for week over outbreak of Covid Omicron variant

The primary school in Hamilton has told parents it will be closed for the week.

Primary school closes for week over outbreak of Covid Omicron variant iStock

A primary school in South Lanarkshire has been closed for the rest of the week over fears of an outbreak of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

It was revealed on Tuesday that positive cases of coronavirus had been confirmed at St John’s Primary in Hamilton.

The local council say the cases identified are “likely to be the new Omicron variant” and have temporarily closed the school due to the impact of staff self-isolation.

A letter to sent from South Lanarkshire Council’s head of senior education to parents of children at the school said: “NHS Lanarkshire’s test and protect team are carrying out contact tracing after cases of Covid-19 which are likely to be the new Omicron variant were identified in the school community in St John’s Primary School, Hamilton.

“NHS Lanarkshire is working closely with South Lanarkshire Council in relation to the school and is contacting those identified as close contacts.

“Public health advice is being given to these individuals and they are being told to self-isolate in line with Public Health Scotland guidance.

“Due to the impact of self-isolation on school staff numbers, we have decided to temporarily close the school from tomorrow for three days.

“It is planned that the school will reopen on Monday, 13 December subject to public health advice.”

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