PUPILS must continue to attend school despite the two positive cases of Covid-19 detected among youngsters at Hermitage Academy.

That is the view of Argyll and Bute Council’s depute leader, and its children’s champion for Helensburgh and Lomond, after the news emerged from the Helensburgh school on Monday, August 31.

An S2 pupil and an S4 pupil, who last attended school on Friday, August 28, have been confirmed to have tested positive. Close contacts are being traced and will be advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney said that the public must continue to adapt to the virus, which he said was “here to stay for some time”.

And Councillor Graham Hardie added that Scottish Government guidance was being followed in opening the school, which returned for its new term during the week commencing Monday, August 10.

Councillor Mulvaney, who is also a member of the area’s health and social care partnership’s integration joint board, said: “First of all I hope that the pupils concerned are recuperating.

“I understand the school is following the advice of public health and the trace and protect regime to identify and self-isolate close contacts.”

“Covid is here to stay for some time and we all need to continue to adapt and do the right things to protect ourselves against it and be alert to its symptoms. The public health advice is clear on what we should be doing and we all need to follow it.”

READ MORE: Two Hermitage Academy pupils test positive for Covid-19, NHS officials confirm

“For me we need pupils back to school, as many staff back to work as possible, shops and business up and running and our NHS treating those that have waited too long”

Meanwhile, Councillor Hardie said: “As the children’s champion for Helensburgh and Lomond I agree with the reopening of Hermitage Academy as we are following Scottish Government guidelines.

“With regards the  cases of Covid-19 in the school, again we are following Scottish Government guidelines as well as advice from public health bodies to keep the school open.

“If this advice changes then we will act accordingly.”

Separately, NHS officials announced on Tuesday that Covid-19 contact tracing efforts were under way at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School in nearby Dumbarton.

A letter sent to parents at Hermitage Academy by NHS Highland’s health protection team outlined what action they should take.

The letter said: “We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Head Teacher and Education Service colleagues in Argyll and Bute Council.

“Contact tracing is ongoing and all close contacts of both confirmed cases are being identified. These pupils who have had close contact will be contacted directly and advised to isolate at home for 14 days.

LATEST HEADLINES: Faslane 'cocaine supply' pair charged by police

“The school remains open and all other pupils should continue to attend if they remain well. If your child remains well then there is no need for them to be tested for Covid-19.

“If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, then they should not go to school and should have a swab test done. The testing should be accessed through the government testing route.

“A test needs to be booked in advance on the NHS Inform website. It may also be possible for you to access a postal testing kit which can be sent to your own home.

“If your child is confirmed positive, they should then remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared.

“Once a positive case is confirmed in a house, then all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

“The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill. Household members should not go to work, school, public areas or use public transport.”

Other Helensburgh and Lomond councillors have been contacted for comment.

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines by clicking here