Closure of P4 class at St Andrews as pupils await PCR test results

The P4 class at St Andrews Primary School will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, while the results of a number of PCR tests are awaited, and a clearer picture is known of the potential spread of the virus.

The class was shut on Monday as a precautionary measure following concerns about a rising number of positive Lateral Flow Tests. The numbers reported to the school differ from those logged online and this has, once again, highlighted the need for everyone to ensure they register their LFT results online – whether negative or positive. This will allow Public Health to begin contact tracing straight away.

A meeting was held this afternoon with representatives from Public Health, the Council’s Education Directorate, Schools, Environmental Health, Safety and Resilience, Sport and Leisure and Community Learning and Development. They will meet daily as required to assess the situation and take action as appropriate. Communications will be provided as soon as possible thereafter.

Environmental Health will carry out an assessment of the school this week to ensure all mitigating measures are in place to reduce the possibility of transmission.

Measures are in place at the school to reduce the inter-mixing of classes. We would ask parents to carry out regular Lateral Flow Tests at home  - even if you don't have symptoms  - and register the results in order that we can build the fullest picture of the situation. Tests can be collected at Boots the Chemist, Sutherlands in Stromness and Kirkwall and can be ordered online.

If you have a positive LFT, you and your household should isolate immediately, and arrange for a PCR test. Similarly, if you begin to develop any COVID symptoms (a new or continuous cough, loss of taste/smell or high temperature) isolate immediately, with your household, and book a PCR test.

This can now be done in two ways –

• go directly to the Covid Assessment Centre (drive to the car park up at the old Macmillan Unit at the Old Balfour Hospital). People will be given a self-testing PCR kit which you will undertake in your car and hand back for processing. Full instructions will be given, and Public Health assure that the self-tests are as accurate as their staff carrying out the tests. The drive through self-testing service is available from Monday-Friday 9am-2pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-1pm.
• For patients who cannot drive to the centre, have additional needs or have concerns about their dexterity and require a staff member to perform your test, you will need to call to book a time slot, you can do this by calling our new number 0300 303 9545.
• For those on ferry linked / outer isles the process remains the same, you will continue to request PCR tests via your local GP.
• For those patients coming in for an elective procedure the process has not changed and this will be co-ordinated as part of your procedure.

The new testing procedures are outlined on the NHS Orkney website.

The Council’s Executive Director of Education, Housing and Leisure, James Wylie, said: “Unfortunately, we find ourselves in this position of uncertainty once more. I want to reassure parents and carers that we will do all we can to ensure the safety of our staff, pupils and the wider community and this is why we have taken the precautionary measures given the uncertainty around the new variant Omicron, which seems to be taking a hold across the rest of Scotland.

“We will keep you all updated as swiftly as is possible to allow for any necessary arrangements to be put in place regarding childcare and the workplace.”