Councillor in plea for Covid tests in school
GLASGOW’S schools could provide Covid- 19 testing facilities to help keep pupils and staff in the classroom, a city councillor has suggested.
Councillor Soryia Siddique has called on the council to devise its own strategy as public centres faced a deluge of requests for tests.
Her comments were backed by Glasgow City Parents Group which said on- site testing would lead to less disruption if pupils were given a negative result and would reduce demand on other centres.
The First Minister has confirmed additional testing capacity after centres were overwhelmed with demand for appointments and a computer glitch led to people being given slots hundreds of miles away.
One mum from Newton Mearns told how she was given an appointment at a centre in Dunoon for her daughter but was turned away because a computer glitch had given her a slot on the wrong day.
Councillor Siddique said: “Parents have contacted me regarding concerns related to the practicalities of travelling to Covid- 19 testing sites.
“Glasgow City Council should bring forward a Covid- 19 testing strategy for schools. This could be on- site testing for all education staff including pupils as part of the prevention of infection and control strategy.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Parents Group backed her plea saying: “This would reduce disruption to schools and children missing more school if testing negative.
“It would also reduce the demand on the larger testing centres and reduce teacher absences who wouldn’t need to quarantine if testing negative quicker.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We will continue to work with our public health colleagues to follow their advice and who lead on testing for the virus.”
It comes after a teacher told how says she feels “let down” by the Covid- 19 testing system after waiting four days for results and being told the data may have been lost.
According to Scottish Government guidelines results should be available by text within 48 hours and teaching unions say it is important that tests are prioritised to protect pupils, staff and the “wider community.”
The teacher, who works in a school in the Lanarkshire area, was advised to continue to isolate or book another test.