Papdale Primary School update

NHS Orkney and the Council can confirm that the number of positive PCR COVID-19 cases amongst children attending Papdale Primary School has risen from five on Tuesday to 12 as of lunchtime on Wednesday 3 November.

A further 23 PCR tests have also been requested at this time.

Of the 440 pupils at the school, 93 were absent on Wednesday from the school, of which many were due to a variety of COVID-related reasons, such as self-isolating or because they are symptomatic and awaiting a PCR test. A small number of parents have also chosen not to send their child or children to school.

In following Scottish Government and Public Health guidance, targeted “warn and inform letters” were sent to parents of children in the affected classes P3, 6 and 7 advising them of the situation at Papdale Primary School. In addition, The Head Teacher, Wendy Bowen, has written to all parents to reassure that all necessary mitigating steps are being taken.

Mrs Bowen said: “Orkney and our school communities have fared well during the pandemic and it’s only in recent months that we have started to see a significant rise in cases to the point that we are now witnessing a much wider community transmission, as confirmed by NHS Orkney Public Health. I want to reassure all members of the school family that we do understand your concerns – we are all part of the wider Orkney community – and we all wish to keep each other as safe as possible.

“We are following Scottish Government and Public Health guidance and sent ‘warn and inform’ letters to the children in the affected year groups.  These being P3, P6 and P7.  Should other year groups be affected letters will be sent to them.

“We continue to follow the mitigations that we have put in place as per the guidance. Classes affected have been deep cleaned each evening. Children are being asked to only bring essential items into school.

“If your child has no symptoms, you can test your child with a lateral flow test. Should your child record a positive lateral flow test then the whole household should isolate and book a PCR test.

“We would ask at this time that you are vigilant to the symptoms of COVID 19 (a new or continuous cough, loss of taste/smell or high temperature.)  Should your child have symptoms book a PCR test and your household should isolate. Please follow all public health guidance.  We would ask that you keep the school informed of any positive test results.”

NHS Orkney are today reporting a further 39 positive cases of COVID in Orkney.

These cases are a mixture of household contacts, travel and working environment contacts amongst others. As was mentioned last week, they were expecting to see numbers of cases continue to be high in coming days.

NHS Orkney Consultant of Public Health Sara Lewis said: “We are continuing to see cases rise (and fall) and this is another day of high case numbers for Orkney, but we want to reassure the community that we are managing these cases. Although, we do ask that you continue to follow the guidance in place, ensuring good ventilation if indoors, washing hands, wearing face coverings and keeping a safe distance from those out with your household, if possible. Vaccinations are underway for both COVID and Flu and these are progressing, but it is a complex and challenging undertaking. Appointment letters are being sent out for the COVID booster vaccinations and we appreciate your patience during this time.”

As a reminder, if you do develop COVID symptoms, however mild, or if you have a positive lateral flow test, then immediately self-isolate with your household and book a PCR test. This is regardless of your vaccination status. You can book a PCR test by calling the Covid Assessment Centre on 01856 888211.

NHS Orkney are urging the community to continue with twice weekly lateral flow tests for anyone who doesn’t have COVID symptoms and to record these results online.

The Council’s Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, James Wylie, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for continuing to put their children into school and for their faith in the mitigating measures in place given, what we do understand, are concerning times. We would urge parents to continue to do this as long as their child/ren are well and are not displaying any COVID symptoms. The past 20 months have been so challenging for all manner of reasons, but last year in particular, our children missed out on a so much of their educational journey and social interaction which is so important for their well-being.

“We would stress that it is vital for secondary pupils and all staff to continue participating in the twice-weekly testing, to log the results online?and for everyone else in the community to stick to the guidance of wearing face coverings when inside, keeping the required distance from others and to maintain handwashing and sanitising.”