Over dozen schools are already affected

CHILDREN at more than a dozen schools across South Wales have been told to self-isolate for a fortnight after cases of Covid-19 were found among staff or pupils.

More than 200 Year 7 pupils at Bryntirion Comprehensive in Bridgend will have to stay at home for a fortnight.

They were identified as having had potential contact with the person who has tested positive. Three staff at the school have also been affected.

Headteacher Ravi Pawar said: “As soon as the school was informed about the positive test result, prompt action was taken to safeguard the well-being of pupils, teachers and staff.

“Their continued well-being remains a top priority, and the school is continuing to work closely alongside the council and Public Health Wales to ensure that lessons can continue as normal.

“We are using online access, virtual classrooms and blended learning techniques to ensure that all those affected can continue to participate in and benefit from lessons.

“This is still an ongoing process, and pupils, parents, carers and guardians will be kept up to date on any new arrangements.”

In Cardiff, 30 children at Ysgol Bro Edern have been told to self-isolate, after being identified as contacts of a student who tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

Headteacher Iwan Pritchard yesterday said: “Due to the procedures we have in place, restricting contact between different classes and logging seating plans of all lessons, we have been able to limit the numbers of pupils needing to self-isolate and there is no need for parents or pupils that have not been contacted to self-isolate or be unduly concerned.”

The parents of all pupils identified as contacts were contacted by letter and text message on Sunday. Other latest cases are believed to be at Cymmer Primary School and Pontygwaith Primary School in the Rhondda.

Last week, staff at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bridgend were told to isolate with the start of term delayed for some pupils after a member of staff contracted coronavirus.

A member of staff at Maesteg School had also tested positive for Covid-19 while Covid-19 has also been confirmed at Woodlands Community Primary in Cwmbran.

Some children at Dinas Powys Primary School have been told to self-isolate for two weeks after the school was informed of a positive Covid-19 case in one of its year six classes.

The positive case had been in the junior part of the school on Thursday and Friday and was identified by the test, trace and protect system.

On Monday, the Welsh Government announced that more than £2.3m had been committed to provide free face coverings for all secondary school and further education students.

Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf have also been affected by cases of Covid-19. A council spokesman said: “We are aware of a small number of school staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 in six different school settings.

“These include Aberdare Community School, Pontygwaith Primary School, Cymmer Primary School, Llwynypia Primary School, Gelli Primary and Ysgol Evan James.

“Test Trace Protect teams are working with those affected and contacting those people who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive.

“Public Health Wales is working with the Local Authority to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to ensure safety within school communities.

“To date, classes at two schools (Pontygwaith Primary School and Cymmer Primary Schools) are self-isolating. The cases in the other schools are being investigated.

“Other years groups will be attending school as normal following an assessment of close contacts with the confirmed cases.

“All schools with confirmed cases are deep cleaned to minimise risks in affected areas and strict preventative controls will continue to be operated.”