More than 200 teachers and support staff in Aberdeenshire have been ordered to quarantine due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, new figures show.
Around 116 teachers and 99 support staff are currently in self-isolation in the region after being contact traced.
Scottish Government figures reveal that Aberdeenshire has the second highest number of teachers ordered to quarantine across the country – with 4.54% currently in self-isolation since the start of the month.
Edinburgh is the most affected area in Scotland, with 358 staff currently isolating, while Glasgow is the third most affected region with 134 school staff off work.
Aberdeenshire has a total teaching staff of 4,781 from 152 primary schools, 17 secondary schools, 90 nurseries and four special schools.
Craig Clement, the council’s head of resources and performance, said: “As an authority with a large school estate, the number of those self-isolating represents a small percentage of the total available workforce.
“Where staff are required to self-isolate they will carry out alternative duties from home where possible, and a number of those reported have since returned to work.
“Among the reasons for isolating are a need to care for dependants or because individuals were shielding.”
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union warned two weeks ago that many north-east teachers had expressed “nervousness” over a lack of reduced class sizes in schools to help with social distancing.
A recent EIS survey found that 83% of its members in the region reported no reductions in class sizes in place to enable effective physical distancing, while 33% said physical distancing between staff and pupils was not in place across 23 schools in the city.
North East MSP Peter Chapman said he wants urgent testing given to teachers.
He added: “We have seen a spike in tests being booked by parents which should now be easing off.
“I’d like those to be prioritised for teachers and front-line workers, so they can get back to work with confidence.”
