MORE than 1,500 East Lothian pupils have been absent from lessons this week as schools and parents take an ultra-cautious approach to the possible spread of coronavirus, the Courier has learnt.

The number of pupils absent from local authority primary schools and high schools on Wednesday was almost twice as high as the same day last year, amid claims some children were being sent home as soon as they coughed.

Some families have reported being told to collect youngsters from schools because of a cough even though they had no other signs of Covid-19.

And the Courier has been told of several instances when the slightest cough in class has led to pupils being 'outed' by nervous classmates and then sent to their school's 'Covid room' before parents or carers are contacted and the child is sent home as a precautionary measure.

East Lothian Council said that schools were being encouraged to follow national guidance over sending children home from school and it was working with headteachers to ensure health and safety remained a priority.

The Scottish Government has advised parents not to keep children home if they have a cold and only to self-isolate or seek a test if the child is showing symptoms of coronavirus.

The local authority said that on Wednesday this week attendance across its schools was at 89.6 per cent compared to 94 per cent on the same day last year. That equates to nearly 1,700 of the county's 16,114 pupils being absent.

So far, only one case of Covid-19 has been reported in any of the council's six secondary and 34 primary schools, with a child at Preston Tower Primary School, Prestonpans, testing positive for the virus late last month.

A council spokesperson: "It is important to note that absences will reflect various different reasons and not one specific reason for absence.

“The Scottish Government’s national clinical director has written to parents and carers throughout Scotland with advice in relation to when a child or young person presents with symptoms of the common cold or similar bugs during the pandemic.

"He highlighted that, following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate.

"In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover.

"This is not the case for children and young people with potential Covid-19 symptoms - they are required to self-isolate and seek a test through nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.

"The main symptoms to be aware of are a new continuous cough/fever/high temperature/loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.

“If a child does not have symptoms of Covid-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and can go to school if fit to do so."

One grandparent told the Courier she was asked to collect her grandson from school after he developed a cough but a test later confirmed he did not have Covid-19, while a father said his son was also sent home after he was heard coughing by a teacher but also tested negative.

The council spokesperson said: "Schools are encouraged to follow national advice, including being alert to Covid-19 symptoms, and we continue to work with our headteachers to ensure there remains a relentless focus on ensuring the ongoing health and safety of all pupils and staff.”