Orkney schools open in full

Despite a continuous spread in COVID-19 across Orkney throughout the festive period and into the new year, nurseries, schools and the college were able to reopen in full on the first day of term, Wednesday 5 January.

A number of staff and pupils were absent in relation to the virus across a handful of schools, however, there were no closures as a result.

Out of a total pupil complement of 3,165, there were 48 positive PCRs reported, 36 awaiting PCRs and 6 positive LFDs on the first day of term. Out of 653 staff, there were 12 who reported having positive PCR tests and 13 awaiting PCRs.

OIC Head of Education, Peter Diamond, said: The latest Scottish Government guidance states that people who test positive for COVID in Scotland will be allowed to exit self-isolation after seven days if they have no fever and record two negative lateral flow tests taken at least 24 hours apart. Close contacts who are fully vaccinated can take daily LFD tests for 7 days instead of isolation - provided the tests are negative and they remain without symptoms. If someone has not received 3 doses of the vaccination, they will need to book a PCR test and even if this is a negative result, they will need to isolate for 10 days.

“This is a change for people in Scotland and given the additional reliance on LFD tests, it is all the more important for people to record the results online, whether they be positive or negative, to allow contact tracing to begin as quickly as possible.

“We will be keeping a close eye on the situation and, when necessary, react accordingly alongside guidance from Public Health. It is critical that children and young people attend at school for both their academic and social progress. The Council continues to fully implement all the Scottish Government mitigations in order to make sure the facilities are as safe as possible.

“I cannot stress enough how vital it is that staff, pupils and the wider community continue to carry out regular lateral flow testing - and report their findings online - so that we can pick up on positive results as early as possible. It is also imperative for those showing symptoms to isolate and test to allow for detection as quickly as we can. These measures, alongside all mitigations including distancing, good ventilation, handwashing, will all help to keep everyone safe, including those within our schools.”