Suspected Covid case closes Tingwall early learning

EARLY learning at Tingwall Primary School was closed today (Friday) due to a suspected Covid case.

Shetland Islands Council said the hope is for the nursery to reopen on Monday.

The council’s director of children services Helen Budge said earlier today: “I can confirm that early learning at Tingwall Primary School is closed today and that the primary department is open as normal.

“I hope that the early learning will reopen on Monday.  Parents and staff will be kept informed over the weekend.”

It comes as one new case of coronavirus in Shetland was reported in today’s Scottish Government update.

Meanwhile NHS Shetland is reminding folk about the latest guidance around self-isolating if someone is deemed a close contact of a positive case.

A spokesperson for the public health team said: “If you are identified as a close contact of a case of Covid-19, you must please immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test.

“Do not attend your work, or go out in public. If you are a close contact of a positive case, you will receive a text message or a phone call from Test & Protect.

“You will then be offered a PCR test. We would like to remind everyone that you must remain in isolation until you have a negative PCR result, not a negative Lateral Flow Device test.

“There is a difference between these tests and guidance currently is that isolation may end on a negative PCR only and if you are over 14 days from having had your second vaccine.

“You can only end isolation if you have been double-vaccinated for at least 14 days and have a negative PCR result, but you will still need to remain cautious and do regular Lateral Flow Device tests.

“If you go on to develop symptoms at any time then please book another PCR test. If you have any queries or are unsure if you may be a contact please do seek guidance from your local Test & Protect team on 01595 532030.”