Covid Ayrshire: Netherthird primary school and nursery closed

On Friday, we reported how a number of pupils at Netherthird PS were self-isolating following a confirmed coronavirus case, with NHS Ayrshire and Arran assuring that all measures were being taken to protect staff and pupils.

Now, East Ayrshire Council has confirmed that the school and ECC will be closed today and tomorrow (March 8 and 9) 'due to community transmission of COVID-19 with links to both establishments'.

It is expected that the school only will reopen on Wednesday, March 10. The closure of the Early Years Centre will be extended until Friday, March 12.

Lynne McNiven, Director of Public Health, said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Test & Protect team is currently conducting a contact tracing exercise with links to Netherthird Primary School and Early Years Centre in the East Ayrshire Council area.

"We have immediately undertaken a careful risk assessment to identify any children and staff who may have had contact with the confirmed cases. These individuals are being contacted by the Test and Protect Team and told to self-isolate at home for 10 days.

"As an additional precautionary measure Netherthird Primary School will be closed on Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9 2021, with remote learning in place. Netherthird Early Years Centre will be closed until Friday, March 12 2021.

"We appreciate this is a very worrying time. However, we would like to assure people that every measure is being taken to protect children and staff.

"To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time."

We regret to advise that @netherthirdps are closed due to community transmission of COVID-19 with links to both establishments. We hope the SCHOOL will open on Weds 10th March and will update on the ECC at a later date. Official comms from public health will be sent this evening.

— EAC Education (@EacEducation) March 7, 2021