Edinburgh primary school and nursery to close until end of May after Covid outbreak

One of Edinburgh’s largest primary schools is closing until the end of the month after more than half of the classes were sent home following a Covid-19 outbreak.

By Jolene Campbell

Published 25th May 2021, 16:47 BST

Updated 25th May 2021, 16:59 BST

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Davidson’s Mains primary will shut from Thursday after 11 classes out of 19 were told to isolate this week.

Parents and guardians were informed today that the school which has 534 pupils will be moving to remote learning after more than half of the classes had to be sent home.

The school will close for the rest of the week after ten classes were sent home

The school will close for the rest of the week after ten classes were sent home

Seventeen teaching staff are self isolating and enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in now place in line with national guidance.

It comes after a positive case was confirmed at the school on the 16 May.

The council said all classes are expected to return to the school next Monday.

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: Seven out of 13 classes at Edinburgh primary school sent home following outbreak

A council spokesperson said: “After a meeting with NHS Lothian’s Health Protection Team earlier today a decision has been taken for all classes and the nursery at Davidson’s Mains Primary School to move to remote learning until the end of this week.

“This a precautionary measure and the decision was not taken lightly but the health and safety of all our young people and our staff is paramount. The school is contacting parents and carers to inform them of their remote learning plans.”

According to the latest government data released today, two more coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours and 318 people have newly tested positive for the virus.

Figures show there were 54 newly reported cases in NHS Lothian up to 24 May and a total of 348 cases over the latest seven day period.

READ MORE: Midlothian primary school closes after Covid-19 outbreak

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