TESTING for Covid-19 among school pupils in Argyll and Bute has risen “dramatically” since the return to the classroom, a health official has confirmed.
Dr Nicola Schinaia, associate director of public health with the area’s health and social care partnership (HSCP), also advised that there have been no further cases detected among key workers who have been tested, or in the area’s care homes.
Two pupils at Hermitage Academy, and two at Lochgilphead Joint Campus, tested positive for coronavirus in the later part of August.
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No subsequent cases have been detected at Hermitage, though the recent outbreak in Cove and Kilcreggan includes one pupil and one staff member at Kilcreggan Primary.
Dr Schinaia said: “NHS Highland’s health protection team has been liaising with Argyll and Bute Council and with cases and their contacts.
“Routine testing of some groups – some key workers and inpatients – has led to detection of asymptomatic cases.
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“However, there have been no further cases associated with any of these and there have been no further confirmed outbreaks within Argyll and Bute care homes to date.
“There have also been cases since the start of July that have had no particular risk for infection identified for them and these cases could be said to be occurring by community transmission.”
Dr Schinaia also said that a total of 184 positive cases had been confirmed by Public Health Scotland among Argyll and Bute residents since the start of the outbreak in March.
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