Positive coronavirus cases confirmed at two schools in Badenoch and Strathspey
A staff member at Aviemore Primary School and a pupil at Kingussie High School have tested positive for coronavirus, health bosses have confirmed.
Parents were notified by the Aviemore school late this afternoon, and the case at the secondary school came to light just a few minutes ago.
Both schools broke up on Tuesday for the Christmas holidays.
Most pupils are not due to return to classes until mid-January following the Scottish Government extending the break as part of tougher restrictions to prevent the spread of the new variant of the virus.
NHS Highland’s Health Protection Team has confirmed it has been notified of the cases of Covid-19 at the two schools – the largest primary school and the largest secondary school in Badenoch and Strathspey.
A NHS Highland spokesperson said that they appreciated parents could find confirmation of the cases concerning but they were working in close partnership with the two headteachers Emma MacCallum at Aviemore and Ian Adamson at Kingussie to manage the situation.
The teacher was last in the Aviemore school on Tuesday (December 23). Contact tracing is now under way at both schools.
The spokesperson said: "Those who have been identified as close contacts have been notified and will be self-isolating at home for 10 days.
"All other pupils that have not been notified as a close contact can continue as normal if they remain well."
The Strathy understand the Aviemore case involves a primary one staff member but that has not been confirmed by the health authority.
Parents have been told that as long as their child remains well, and as long as other household members have no symptoms and are well, then everyone else in the house can all go about their normal business.
Health chiefs said anyone who is well and has no symptoms does not need to be tested.
But they have stressed that anyone who develops symptoms should booked a coronavirus test as soon as possible.
The most common symptoms of coronavirus are recent onset of:
• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
Health chiefs have offered reassurances to parents stating for most people, especially for children, coronavirus will be a mild illness.
