Residents in the Tullibody area are being encouraged to take a Coronavirus test following an increase in the number of positive cases within the Tullibody community.

Most of the cases are linked to transmission within individual households which has led to wider community spread so anyone living or working in the Tullibody area is being encouraged to get a PCR test.

A drop-in mobile testing centre is available at the car park of Tullibody South Campus from 10am until 5pm each day. PCR Covid-19 tests can also be booked at other venues including Alloa Town hall, at the Stirling Engine Shed and Stirling University. Tests can be booked online https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 0300 303 2713.

We would also strongly recommend that anyone living in Tullibody and are over the age of 30 who has received a Covid-19 vaccine appointment letter does attend for their vaccine, unless they are currently self-isolating.

Anyone over the age of 40, living in Tullibody, who has missed their vaccination appointment should call our local Covid-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 130 3120 or email fv.covidvaccinations@nhs.scot to book a new appointment as soon as possible.  The NHS Forth Valley immunisation team may also contact you to invite you to attend a vaccination appointment.

As a result of the recent increase in positive cases and on the advice of NHS Forth Valley’s Public Health Team, Banchory, Abercromby and St Bernadette’s Primaries and Tulach Nursery will temporarily remove to remote learning from today (Thursday 20^th May) returning on Monday 31^st May.

Children and staff at these schools have been asked to self-isolate as a precaution. Siblings who may attend other schools in the Clackmannanshire area have also been asked to self-isolate and not attend their school until at least Monday 24^th  May. In addition, they are being asked to take a Covid-19 PCR test and should only return to their school once they have a negative result.

The library at Tullibody South Campus will also be closed temporarily during this period. Further information can be found on our website https://www.clacks.gov.uk/coronavirus/librarypaymentsreopeningcv/

Children who attend schools at the Tullibody South Campus and their siblings should also not attend sports clubs or organisations until they have a negative PCR test.

Dr Graham Foster, Director for Public Health for NHS Forth Valley, said:

“Specialist testing suggests that some of the local cases we are seeing in Tullibody may be linked to cases in Glasgow City.

“We are taking strong action now to prevent further spread of Covid-19. We would encourage everyone who lives in or works in Tullibody to get a Covid-19 PCR test even if they don’t have symptoms. By taking the right measures at this earlier stage, we have the best chance of achieving our aim of staying within Level 2.”

The Council’s spokesperson for Education, Cllr Graham Lindsay, said:

“We know that this is a challenging time for parents and carers of children at the schools affected but the schools all have well developed contingency arrangements in place for remote learning and all families have been contacted by the school to update them on the action being taken.

“It is important to reinforce that this outbreak stems from community transmission and not a reflection on how schools are operating. Please be assured we are doing everything we can to ensure that learning continues, whilst safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and children and the wider community.”

Clackmannanshire Council is continuing to work with NHS Forth Valley to closely monitor the local situation.

Further information on COVID-19 is available on the NHS Inform website: www.nhsinform.scot

If you or your family have to self-isolate, you may be eligible for a self-isolation support grant. You will find more information on our website https://www.clacks.gov.uk/coronavirus/sisgrantcv/

All children who are self-isolating and are eligible for a clothing grant, will receive a free school meal payment.