Covid cases in county schools pass 100 mark
PARENTS URGED TO STAY VIGILANT OVER SYMPTOMS
THE number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Leicestershire schools is now in triple figures.
Education officials said latest figures showed 61 schools across the county have recorded more than 100 cases of the virus since classes resumed in August.
Figures released by Leicestershire County Council showed 59 children and 46 members of school staff have become infected.
There are 283 schools and colleges across the county, teaching about 99,000 pupils.
County council cabinet member for children and families Debra Taylor said: “To put this into context, there are thousands of children who attend our schools every day and we are confident schools are following guidance and have put, and are continuing to put, measures into place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“We continue to urge parents to be vigilant in checking for any symptoms using government guidance, to wear face coverings on the school run if able to, wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of infection.”
This week, schools in Market Harborough and Melton have confirmed coronavirus cases among staff and pupils, with a number of children required to go home and self-isolate.
The Mercury has already reported there had been more than 100 cases of the virus associated with the 46 schools in the city. Martin Samuels, the city council’s strategic director of education and social care, said there have largely been isolated cases among staff and pupils but there had been a couple of localised outbreaks of 10 or more cases in schools.
He said schools were under pressure but systems in place to limit the spread of the virus were working.
The government has said children are less likely to contract Covid-19 than adults and suffer serious illhealth if they do.
Cases of the virus continue to rise across the country but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed his intention to keep schools open while he considers local lockdown measures to restrict infections.