SEVEN people with links to the driving school at the Tulliallan police college have tested positive for Covid-19.

NHS Fife has confirmed the figure includes household contacts who have tested positive and said all positive cases are currently experiencing mild symptoms and are isolating at home.

There is no evidence at this stage of transmission within the wider facility. Officials also say that based on the measures already taken, and information currently available, the risk of onward transmission has been minimised.

Contact tracers are in the process of identifying and tracing the close contacts of the positive cases to provide public health support and advice. As a precaution, additional contacts of the positive cases have been asked to self-isolate pending further assessment.

Dr Lorna Watson, a consultant in public health medicine at NHS Fife, said: “We appreciate that students and staff attending the Police Scotland College at Tulliallan may be concerned; however, there is no indication of further transmission of Covid-19 at the facility and we believe the risk of contracting coronavirus remains low.

“As part of the Test and Protect programme, we have systems in place to identify close contacts of positive cases quickly to reduce the opportunity for the virus to spread further. This is a tried and tested method of breaking the chains of transmission for communicable viruses such as Covid-19.

“It is crucial that anyone experiencing the well-established symptoms of Covid-19 - such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - arranges to be tested using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal or by calling 0800 028 2816.”

Alan Speirs, Assistant Chief Constable, added: "Police Scotland is following Scottish Government and NHS guidance and where cases of coronavirus are identified, we work with the local health board and follow Test and Protect procedures.

"We have robust measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus. The cases relate to our driving training facility and there is no evidence of transmission within the wider college."

A local online support hub has been created to provide information on testing for Covid-19, and updates on the pandemic at https://coronavirus.nhsfife.org