NEARLY 100 pupils and members of staff at schools across the Lothians, including Preston Tower Primary School, are self-isolating after a total of six pupils in different schools tested positive for coronavirus.

Eighty-eight pupils and eight members of staff who have been in close and sustained contact with the pupils who tested positive have been told to self-isolate for 14 days as a precautionary measure.

Currently, there is no evidence of transmission within the schools themselves.

On Wednesday, East Lothian Council said it was “a worrying time for families” after it was confirmed a pupil had tested positive.

Details of the age of the pupil or what class they are in at the Prestonpans primary school have not been released.

A spokesman for the local authority said: “That’s why we are working with NHS Lothian’s health protection team and will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow all national guidance and the health advice provided.

“Children who have been in direct contact with the confirmed case have been contacted and will be staying at home for 14 days.

“The school remains open, in line with expert public health advice."

The Health Protection Team in NHS Lothian has worked with single cases in six schools across Lothian’s four separate local authority areas to contact trace and assess the safety measures in place, such as social distancing and enhanced cleaning.

Preston Tower is the only school in East Lothian to have recorded a positive test.

All of the schools in East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian remain open following the individual cases and parents have been told that their child should still attend, unless instructed otherwise.

Professor Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy, said: “We have been made aware of a number of pupils who have tested positive for Covid-19 over the course of this week.

“We know this is a worrying time for them and their families, but indeed also for other people in the local school community.

“Our teams are working with schools to ensure that all of the necessary infection control measures are in place to protect other young people and their families.

“All of the schools remain open and parents should continue to send their children to school.”