Parents have been left in limbo over when a north-east primary school might reopen after a second case of coronavirus was detected among staff.
Peterhead Central School was closed to pupils and teachers yesterday after one member of staff tested positive Covid-19, and last night it emerged that a second had caught it.
The school will remain shut today with many of the staff self-isolating.
Pupils had not yet returned to the school, which was closed on Wednesday due to weather issues.
The council said further information will be provided to parents when an opening date can be confirmed.
NHS Grampian said it is working to trace close contacts of the employees involved.
Last night a spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “Peterhead Central Primary School will remain closed for the remainder of the week as arrangements are made to ensure suitable staffing numbers for the school to reopen.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian added: “A second case of Covid-19, connected with a primary school in Peterhead, has been detected.
“Our investigations are continuing and we are working closely with Aberdeenshire Council. They have delayed the reopening of the school in the meantime.”
Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan, David Duguid, said: “News of a cluster of cases will be concerning for parents and the wider community in Peterhead.
“We all need to remain vigilant. It is important for everybody to remember to follow the rules on social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in shops.”
MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson said the local authority had made the right move to close the building.
He said: “I would like to thank both Aberdeenshire Council and the staff for their swift action in managing what is understood to be a household outbreak which has resulted in a staff member contracting the virus.
“Test and Protect procedures have been put into swift action as a result. I am hopeful of the swift return of pupils to Peterhead Central Primary School when it is safe to do so.”
Meanwhile, recruitment for 20 new Covid support teachers for schools across Moray has begun.
Moray Council received £800,000 additional funding from the Scottish Government to hire staff to support pupils after lockdown.
The recruitment of 12 teachers and eight home school link workers has started with the first eight teaching posts being advertised from today for two weeks.
The teachers will work across a number of schools where the need for additional teachers has been identified to assist pupils.
