COVID continues to cause classroom disruption with the possibility of a reduced school menu on the cards

COVID-related staffing pressures across many of Orkney’s schools and nurseries is continuing to impact on classes and early learning groups.

On Monday, 62 members of staff and 221 young people and children were absent, largely due to being positive themselves or because they are the main carer of a child with a positive result.

The high community transmission rate – Orkney recently recorded 1,000 COVID cases in just two weeks – is likely to have an effect on school kitchens now too.

School Catering Manager Scott Pring said they had been very lucky to reach this point without significant disruption to the provision of a full service.

“This picture is now changing given the very high level of transmission of COVID throughout Orkney. To maintain a full school menu at present, we have utilised every member of relief staff that we have, however, this is untenable, and we are firefighting constantly.

“I would expect some of the smaller schools to move to our contingency menu soon – this means soup and sandwiches will be offered to ensure the children and young people still have access to a hot, healthy meal. We have kept going for as long as we can, but I have been in touch with some of the schools which have been most significantly affected raising the likelihood of a change to the emergency menu. If this does happen, we will be notifying parents directly as quickly as we can.

“Moving to a restricted menu is as a last resort and we will continue to work on contingencies whenever possible, however we felt it important to flag the issues we are having to make parents, carers and pupils aware of the possibility.”

Given the high numbers of staff absence, classes at several schools across Orkney have been closed – with Head Teachers notifying parents on a daily basis.

The Council’s Education Directorate is very grateful for the support of the school community as we all work our way through the challenges.

Head of Education, Peter Diamond, said: “Our staff are working tirelessly on a day-by-day basis to see how best to maintain as many classes and nursery groups as is possible given the high level of staff absence. It is inevitable that we continue to have to suspend in-class learning for some. We know how frustrating this must be for everyone concerned but we do not have a choice at present given the impact COVID is having in the county at present. We would appeal for parents and carers to check their emails, Seesaw accounts, school social media every day for updates as to whether their class or nursery group is open or closed.

“The support and positive feedback school staff have received from parents has been superb and they are very grateful as it eases an already challenging situation.”

Just a few days ago, Orkney recorded a daily record-high number of cases of 115 in a 24-hour period.

Hospitalisation rates remain low, but many people are still falling ill, and this is having a knock-on effect within the community with health services being impacted and some planned surgeries at the Balfour postponed this week.

Dr Mark Henry, Medical Director for NHS Orkney said: “Although we are continuing to see small numbers of patients admitted to the Balfour with COVID-19 we are under considerable staffing pressures across all our services. Our staff work and live in our community and therefore are exposed to the virus just like everyone else, it is no surprise we are seeing pressures on our systems with daily cases as high as 115. We urge you all to be vigilant with the measures in place and please continue to protect one another.”

As a reminder the NHS say you can protect yourself, your families, friends and those around you by ensuring you are fully vaccinated against the virus. If you are due your next dose or yet to start the vaccination process you can call our vaccination centre on 0300 303 5313 to book an appointment and to find out more information. Please do, continue to wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser when out and about. If you’re meeting up indoors with those out with your household, opening doors and windows will ensure good ventilation and less chance of the virus spreading.

The NHS and OIC continue to urge the community to carry out regular lateral flow testing particularly before meeting up with others, travelling and attending events. All lateral flow results should be recorded.

If you develop symptoms and have not yet taken a lateral flow test, a PCR test is still recommended. If you are seeking a PCR test, simply drive to the Testing Centre in Kirkwall where you will be given a self-testing kit to undertake and hand back for processing. If you’d like more information on PCR testing or cannot drive to the centre, please call 0300 303 9545 to book an appointment. The details on when a PCR test is required are detailed on the Scot Gov website https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/covid-symptoms/.

Finally, if you fall into the clinically extremely vulnerable category and have tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral medication, more information can be found here https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-treatments within this link is also the number you can call to speak to someone here in Orkney. If you had a letter regarding antiviral medication, you should follow the instructions provided.