EDUCATION bosses say a Gourock primary school will stay open despite a worsening Covid-19 outbreak.

Pupils and teaching staff from six classes at Moorfoot Primary are now isolating at home after a series of positive coronavirus tests throughout the school.

On Monday, Inverclyde Council revealed that a positive case had been identified and said parents of pupils affected had been notified.

A source revealed on Wednesday that two further teachers had tested positive for the virus and that three classes had been sent home to isolate.

The Tele learned yesterday that a total of six teachers and two support assistants were absent with confirmed cases.

Parents of youngsters at the school have expressed concern and one said that Moorfoot had been left 'extremely short staffed'.

But education bosses say there is 'no requirement to close the school', adding that positive cases are 'unfortunately an inevitable consequence of a hidden virus which has caused this global pandemic'.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: "Currently there are six classes self-isolating and we’re following public health guidance.

"Where there are staffing issues in any of our schools we will draw upon supply teachers and redeploy staff where necessary to ensure continuity of education for our young people as best we can.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind all our residents, staff, parents and pupils about the importance of following the government guidance and all the health and safety rules."

Positive cases of coronavirus have also recently been identified in Port Glasgow High School, St Ninian’s Primary School and the nursery at St Joseph’s Primary.

On Tuesday there were 342 Covid-related absences recorded in schools across Inverclyde - 310 pupils and 32 members of staff.