Professor Jason Leitch: Tougher measures for Aberdeen schools if officials lose control of cluster
Tougher measures could be taken against schools in Grampian if control of community coronavirus transmission is lost, according to Scotland’s national clinical director.
Jason Leitch was speaking to Radio Scotland on Monday when he urged parents to be “cautious” but not “overly worried” about the return of pupils to class, which is to begin across the country from Tuesday.
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Hide AdHowever, he said schools will be in the “equation” if tougher measures are necessary to control the outbreak in Aberdeen.
The number of cases in the Covid-19 cluster in the city stood at 134 on Sunday, with a total of 728 close contacts identified.
Mr Leitch told the Good Morning Scotland programme: “It’s not the number of positives in Grampian, it’s a matter of community transmission.
“If we, the country, lost control of that outbreak and we couldn’t trace a large number of cases back to the original cases from last weekend, that’s when we would start thinking about doing things.
“You’ve seen us already take action last week – about travel, about indoor meeting up, about hospitality – and we won’t hesitate to do that in other parts of the country or to take stronger measures in Grampian and Aberdeen if that’s what’s necessary.
“Schools will have to be in that equation, of course they will.”
He told the programme that the danger to staff is not “abstract” to him as his wife is in that group and it is a conversation he often has “at the dinner table”.
Mr Leitch said his advice is that it is safe for teachers to return, however they should familiarise themselves with the relevant guidance.