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Easter Ross secondary remains open as Highland Council urges patience over coronavirus impact; Two Tain primary schools remain closed as precautionary measure


By Hector MacKenzie

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Tain Royal Academy says it will follow Highland Council advice.
Tain Royal Academy says it will follow Highland Council advice.

AN Easter Ross secondary serving a town where two primary schools have been closed as a precautionary measure during the ongoing cornavirus pandemic will be open today.

But Knockbreck and Craighill Primary Schools in Tain will remain closed following yesterday's announcement that a pupil and a member of staff were taken ill over the weekend.

The circumstances have been assessed by NHS Highland and Highland Council and at present there has been stated there is no evidence of a link to coronavirus.

Tain Royal Academy has taken to its Facebook page to tell parents that Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson has confirmed that both Knockbreck and Craighill will remain closed until the end of the day on Wednesday.

The situation there as with all other schools remains under review in what is a rapidly changing situation.

Tain Royal Academy will continue to be open and follow advice from Highland Council.

Parents of puils who will be absent from school are asked to email TRAabsence@highland.gov.uk or leave a voicemail on the absence line, which is 01862 890900.

They will be asked to state clearly the pupil's name, reason for absence and duration of absence.

The school said: "Our main school telephone line is extremely busy so it would be helpful if voicemails are left."

Mrs Manson yesterday gave an assurance that the local authority is working to national advice and guidance in the response to coronavirus, also known as COVID19.

At a media briefing with Dr Boyd Peters, medical director for NHS Highland, Mrs Manson said: "On a daily basis it is no longer business as usual in Highland Council. We are working with trade unions and staff in the response to coronavirus and we are working with our community partners in NHS Highland, the emergency services and third sector while following public health and national advice.

“We urge service users in Highland to be patient and help us by understanding that it is not business as usual in the Highland Council, we will have to stop doing some things as we focus our attention on the response to COVID19.

“For information on school closures visit www.highand.gov.uk/schoolclosures and the council will update the public through news releases and the council’s website www.highland.gov.uk as-and-when council services will be affected.

“We have mobilised our local emergency liaison groups which comprise multi-agency groups working in the local council areas to address emergency response and resilience within our communities.”

COVID 19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

The advice from the NHS is to stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms which include

8 a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

8 a new, continuous cough

It urges people NOT to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital and says people do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

It says testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.

It's advice can be seen here.

Get in touch with us at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk

Related: Two school in Tain closed as a precaution after teacher and pupil fall ill.

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