Davidson's Mains Primary School: Edinburgh school to remain closed for another week as covid cases hit local community

Edinburgh City Council has confirmed that one of the city’s largest primary school’s will remain closed for another week following an outbreak of Covid-19.

Davidson’s Mains Primary School closed from Thursday, May 27, after 11 out of 19 classes were told to self-isolate this week, including 27 staff members.

The school – which has 534 pupils – told parents and guardians on Tuesday that they would be returning to remote learning following the first confirmed case on May 16.

Earlier this week the Council said that they hoped to reopen the school on Monday, May 31, however given the number of cases in the Davidson Mains area the decision has been made to keep the school closed until at least Monday, May 7.

Parents were informed of the change on Friday.

Silverknowes and Davidson's Mains is currently the worst hit area in Edinburgh, recording 42 cases of Covid-19 between May 19 and May 25.

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said: “Following a multi-disciplinary Incident Management Team meeting with NHS Lothian yesterday (Friday, May 28) a decision has been taken for the school and nursery at Davidson’s Mains Primary School to remain closed due to new positive cases affecting families in the community.

Davidson's Mains Primary School to remain closed for another week as covid cases hit local community.

“This means the school will continue with its remote learning programme next week. We realise this is a really challenging time for everyone in the community and the school appreciates all the messages of support it has been receiving.

“We would urge everyone to follow the latest health guidance/FACTS and please act responsibly for the greater good of the community.

"Anyone who is a close contact or is displaying Covid-19 symptoms should take a PCR test and remember there are walk-in test centres open at Drumbrae Leisure Centre and Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.”

In the seven days leading up to Friday, May 28, Edinburgh recorded 274 new cases of Covid-19 with of 53.3 cases per 100,000 population.

Davidson's Mains Primary School to remain closed for another week as covid cases hit local community

Professor Devi Sridhar, Professor and Chair of Global Public Health at Edinburgh University Medical School, wrote on twitter: “Edinburgh numbers not looking great.

"Probably because of increased mixing, new variant (B.1617), loads of tourists & still majority of people not fully vaccinated.

"Testing, supported isolation, vaccinations & avoiding risky settings (crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated) are tools we have.”

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