EXCLUSIVE: Fife parents given wrong advice on children tested for coronavirus

Health officials in Fife have admitted giving parents the wrong information on children who have coronavirus symptoms.

Families were told last week that youngsters had to stay off school for 10 days - even if they had a negative test - because of the incubation period of the virus.

Fife Council said this advice was based on guidance from the local health board.

A post on the local authority's website at the time stated: "In cases where a child displays the symptoms of Covid-19, such as a new and continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of smell or taste, it is important that they are tested for the virus as soon as possible.

"The child must also remain at home 10 days from the onset of symptoms, regardless of the result of the test. This is because it is possible to test negative for the virus whilst it is in its early stages and still remain infectious to others."

But that contradicted Scottish Government guidance - which stated a youngster could return after 48 hours if they did not have a fever.

NHS Fife has now confirmed the error.

In a statement to Kingdom FM it said: "We recently published some incorrect advice on the isolation of young people with symptoms of Covid-19 and this was subsequently made available to parents at end of last week. This information has since been updated and reissued to parents.

"For reasons of data protection, NHS Fife is unable to comment on matters relating to individual young people."

Dr Esther Curnock, deputy director of public health, said: "NHS Fife is following national guidance on possible and suspected cases of Covid-19 in our local primary schools and nurseries, where physical distancing is difficult and there is greater opportunity for Covid-19 to spread.

"Where a child displays the established symptoms of Covid-19, such as a new and continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of smell or taste, it is important that they are tested for the virus as soon as possible.

"In cases where a test is negative, the child must remain at home for 48 hours after their fever subsides. In cases where a child is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19, they must remain at home for a minimum 14 days.

"People in Fife have largely observed the national guidance over recent months and that is why we have been able to successfully suppress the virus to relatively low levels.

"The virus remains a risk to our health, however, and it is vitally important that we continue to follow the public measures in place in our educational establishments, and indeed across our communities, if we are to prevent the type of larger scale outbreaks of the virus we have seen elsewhere."

Claire Baker, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, says it is important that families are given clear information.

She said: "I have had reports that there are different approaches being taken when a child becomes ill with a cold or similar symptoms, and this needs to be resolved.

"It needs to be clear, because parents need to have confidence that they're doing the right thing when they keep their kids off school, or when they take the decision to send their kid to school.

"It is a fluid situation, and during this time we need to keep parents well-informed. It is so important that we get children back into school, the last few months have been very difficult and we don't want to see any more concerns about risks and damage to education."

Meanwhile Fife Council has confirmed it will update its guidance on the use of face coverings on school transport.

The Scottish Government confirmed yesterday they will become compulsory for all children aged five and over using school buses from Monday - as well as for pupils and staff in communal areas of secondary schools.

But parents said they had been told by the local authority that coverings were not mandatory on transport.

The council says it told parents this position may change in line with national policies, and it will now update the guidance it gives to families.