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School in Dundee remains closed after 22 people test positive for coronavirus

A school in Scotland remains closed after 22 people tested positive for coronavirus.

Kingspark School in Dundee was closed last Wednesday and pupils and staff were asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

NHS Tayside said 17 staff and two pupils at the special needs school had tested positive for COVID-19, as well as three community contacts.

Restrictions have been placed on care homes in Tayside to stop the spread of coronavirus in the area.

The Kingspark School in Dundee is closed after a coronavirus outbreak. (Google)
The Kingspark School in Dundee is closed after a coronavirus outbreak. (Google)

The Kingspark outbreak has spread to two other schools in Dundee.

A primary two class at St Peter and Paul’s School must self-isolate until 2 September after a positive test.

And children who went to the Happy Times out-of-school club at Downfield Primary School have also been asked to quarantine after someone tested positive.

Dr Ellie Hothersall, consultant in public health medicine with NHS Tayside, said: “Since the identification of positive cases at Kingspark, a detailed contact tracing programme has been under way and these linked cases are being identified because of those concerted efforts of Test and Protect.

“We must do everything we can to protect all of our communities against COVID-19 and that is why we have issued the guidance to self-isolate. By taking this action we are containing any further spread of infection.

“We know that this may cause anxiety to some parents and children but we must do everything we can to ensure we keep people safe.”

Paul Clancy, Dundee City Council executive director of children and families services, said: “I would like to reassure families that this action is being taken to keep everyone safe.

“This is our paramount concern and we cannot be complacent.”

On Monday, Boris Johnson urged parents to send their children back to schools when they reopen in England and Wales next month.

Schools in Scotland have already reopened, while those in Northern Ireland did so on Monday.

England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said children are more likely to get the flu or be in a road accident than catch coronavirus at school.

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