Coronavirus More pupils now self-isolating
AT least 11 schools in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have now had children test positive for coronavirus since term started – with more reporting “suspected” cases.
After less than two weeks back in the classroom, scores of pupils and staff are now self isolating after a turbulent start to the term.
Families struggling to access Covid-19 tests has also added to the number of kids unable to attend classrooms.
The latest schools affected are at Elmfield School for Deaf Children in Southmead, with one confirmed case and 19 students self-isolating and Bristol Brunel Academy in Eastville, which has one confirmed case and year 8 are self-isolating.
And Nailsea School in North Somerset has sent two year groups home after a positive coronavirus test. All pupils in year groups 8 and 9 at Nailsea School have been told to self-isolate.
As the Post reported yesterday, 35 pupils at Clifton College are selfisolating after one pupil tested positive.
Bristol City Council is working with the schools and PHE to make sure that all students, families and school staff are supported.
Christina Gray, Bristol City Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Please be reassured that while this is disruptive for children at the affected schools, the number of cases is still very small number compared to the thousands of children attending schools across the city. Well done to parents and teachers for acting swiftly as this helps stop the virus spreading to other children.
“NHS Test and Trace continues to operate in the South West but there are currently significant demands on the system. If anyone is struggling to make an appointment and thinks they or their child has Covid-19 symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and continue to try and book an appointment for a test. The symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of taste or smell.
Other schools affected
» Shirehampton Primary School had a case confirmed on Thursday, September 10. One Year 6 child has been diagnosed with the virus and the entire year group is self-isolating for 14 days
» John William Oasis Academy in Hengrove had one case confirmed on Thursday, September 10. All of its Year 7 cohort were asked to isolate
» Compass Point Primary School in Bedminster had a case confirmed on Friday, September 11. Students were sent home and told to isolate there for 14 days after someone in their “pod” tested positive for coronavirus. Staff who had been teaching the Year 6 pod have also been sent home and told to self-isolate. In total one case has been confirmed and 29 children and three staff members are isolating.
» Pupils are also self isolating at Cheddar Grove Primary School in Bedminster. The school has not had any confirmed cases but has one suspected case. There were 18 children in self-isolation yesterday, after a member of their household presented with potential symptoms.
» Parents of children at Air Balloon Primary School, in St George, were also sent a letter informing them of a “suspected” case on Wednesday afternoon.
» Hans Price Academy in Westonsuper-Mare, North Somerset saw a teacher test positive on Monday, September 7. The school remained open
» Churchill Academy and Sixth Form in North Somerset confirmed a case on Tuesday, September 8. 57 pupils were forced to self-isolate following a confirmed case
» Two Mile Hill Primary School in South Gloucestershire, just outside of the border of Bristol confirmed a case on Thursday, September 10. One pupil tested positive leading 160 students of mixed ages to selfisolate.
» Kings’ Forest Primary School in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire had a case confirmed on Thursday, September 10. One Year 1 pupil tested positive and so 27 of their classmates were put in isolation.