Covid surge linked to schools
INFECTION RATE UP 1,500% IN ONE AREA OF COUNTY
A SURGE in Covid cases has been linked to outbreaks in two Northumberland schools.
Infection rates are up by almost 1,500% in Cramlington South, with cases also soaring in nearby postcodes.
It is just the latest in a string of cases linked to schools since pupils returned in full on March 8.
Northumberland County Council declined to name the schools, although The Chronicle understands one is Ellington Primary.
The Morpeth school closed last week following an outbreak, with many pupils and staff forced to selfisolate.
In a letter to parents, the school stated “children, teachers and support staff” were among those to test positive.
However the latest outbreak has helped push up the number of confirmed cases in Northumberland by over a third in the past week.
Infections are up by 34%, with the county – which for weeks has had the lowest infection rate in the North East – now below Newcastle and Gateshead on that list. Cramlington South had 31 new cases in the week ending March 18, a rise of 1,450% on the previous seven days,
The infection rate of 483.2 is comfortably the highest in the region, and one of the highest in the North of England. Cases in Wideopen and Seaton Burn, as well as Fordley, have also shot up. Fordley’s rate surged by 450% while cases in Wideopen and Seaton Burn were up 150%, although the latter had just five new cases that week.
“We are aware of increased rates currently in Lynemouth and Cramlington South East, mainly due to positive cases within two schools” said a Northumberland County Council spokesperson.
“The schools are dealing with these very well following established procedures and protocols, and are being supported by our public health and school nursing teams with advice on contact tracing and ongoing infection control measures.
“Our teachers and parents across the county are reassured that we are supporting schools to ensure they are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of the virus in our schools, including regular testing of staff and secondary school pupils with no symptoms and encouraging households of pupils to do the same.”
Several North East schools have reported cases since fully reopening to tough new rules and the mass testing of staff and pupils.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted it was “inevitable” that cases would rise once schools reopened, although he felt that with over half of British adults now vaccinated, it was vital children returned to the classroom.
The Chronicle has approached Ellington Primary for further comment.
*The data used was taken from the UK Government’s UK data map, correct up to March 18. Infection rates are based on the number of cases for every 100,000 residents