COVID spread in schools appears to be stabilising

The COVID-19 situation within schools in Orkney would appear to have stabilised at present.

Out of 441 pupils there were 303 pupils at Papdale Primary School on Monday for the school’s full reopening. This means 138 pupils remain at home for various reasons – some COVID-related, other sickness and 29 families have opted to keep their children off school due to concerns over the virus.

Staffing plans are in place with the aim of a full reopening of Papdale Nursery from and including Wednesday 17 November from 8.30am-3pm. For the remainder of this week, the nursery will open from 8.30am-3pm.

Nursery Manager, Caroline Easton, explained: “We are delighted to be in a position staffing wise at the moment to reopen in full from Wednesday onwards. However, we must be mindful that this is a very fluid situation and changes can occur very quickly. We are aware of this and in a bid to protect the core hours at the nursery given our reduced staffing element, we will be opening from 8.30am-3pm for the remainder of this week. We apologise to parents this will affect, but the aim is to ensure we have enough staff in place to provide those core hours at this time.

“I am communicating with all parents as soon as any changes occur and I remain so grateful for the support that we at the nursery have received in these difficult circumstances. We all look forward to the day when COVID-19 is no longer impacting on our service.”

There has been 1 new positive PCR cases at Kirkwall Grammar School today, Monday, so the number of “live” positive PCR cases among pupils at the school now stands at 10. A further 14 are awaiting PCR test results – significantly reduced from last week. Only one member of staff is awaiting a PCR test result. There are currently no “live” cases among staff at the school.

NHS Public Health reported a downward trend among cases in the school community last week and this continues today.

We are seeing small numbers of cases across several schools in Orkney and these are being monitored but not causing any concern at this time.

Warn and inform letters are issued when necessary to parents as per the Scottish Government guidance.

NHS Orkney Public Health advice to all is to allow for:

• Good Ventilation – proper ventilation is crucial to keeping the risk of spreading Covid to a minimum, if meeting up indoors please ensure windows and doors are open as much as possible. (So maybe wrap up with an extra layer if you are visiting friends!)
• Face Coverings – face coverings are still required by law to be worn in most indoor settings. However, even if it’s not law in the establishment you visit, we still encourage the use of them if you can’t socially distance from those outwith your household.
• Hand Washing – as simple as it sounds good hand hygiene really is key to minimising the spread of infection. If you’re out and about Christmas shopping, please think about what you are touching before picking up lots of different items. Hand sanitiser should be used in between hand washing/when out and about.
• Regular LFT Testing – twice weekly LFT testing for those who are not showing signs of Covid helps us protect one another. If you have a positive lateral flow, you and your household must isolate immediately, and you must book a PCR test. We would also encourage everyone to log their test results online, whether positive or negative, again this helps paint of picture of the situation.

If you have symptoms of COVID i.e., a new or continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of taste or smell, you and your household must isolate immediately, and you must book a PCR test. If you have any symptoms at all, no matter how minor please do not undertake a lateral flow test but instead isolate and book a PCR test.

Ceri Dare, OIC Environmental Technical Officer (Public Health), is available for free advice and support around COVID-secure requirements and best practice in businesses and organisations. She can be contacted at Environmental Health, Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, KW15 1NY Phone 01856 873535 ext 2817 or by email to Ceri Dare.