The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
SCHOOLS CLOSE OVER VIRUS FEARS
Pupils sent home as precautionary measure over coronavirus concern
A primary school and preschool in Peterborough has been closed due to fears someone could have contracted the coronavirus.
In a separate incident a pupil at a secondary school in Peterborough has been sent home after visiting a town in Italy which is currently under lockdown.
Lime Academy Watergall and Bretton Community Pre-School, both in Watergall, Bretton, announced on Wednesday morning they are closing their doors.
The school will be closed for the rest of the week as a precaution to allow for a deep clean to take place after a family recently returned from northern Italy.
The pre-school did not give a timeframe for when it will re-open but said a child had recently returned from an area currently on lockdown.
The news follows yesterday’s announcements from Lutton St Nicholas Primary School and Gedney Church End Primary School in the Spalding area that they had closed “as a precautionary measure” because of a potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual who is now in isolation.
Meanwhile, Ely College has sent some pupils home for two weeks after they returned from a skiing trip to northern Italy feeling unwell.
The only announcements so far have come from schools, with public bodies refusing to comment unless there is a confirmed case of coronavirus.
A message was sent to parents by Lime Academy Watergall headteacher Angela Wood, which stated: “We have taken advice from Public Health England as we have had a family who have recently returned from northern Italy.
“Although they are currently showing no symptoms we have been advised to closed with immediate effect in order for us to undergo a deep clean. The school will remain closed until Friday and will re-open on Monday, March 2.
“This is NOT a confirmed case of coronavirus in the school, it is a precautionary measure. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please collect your child with immediate effect.
“We will be opening the KS1 and KS2 gates between 10-11am. If you cannot collect your child until after 11 please collect your child via the school office.”
Bretton Community PreSchool said this morning: “Due to unforeseen circumstances we have been advised to close the setting due to a child who has recently returned from one of the areas on lockdown from the coronavirus.
“This has resulted in us being closed for a deep clean to protect all children and adults. We will keep you updated.”
A pupil at Arthur Mellows Village College in Glinton was sent home after visiting a town in Italy which is currently under lockdown.
So far there have been no
confirmed cases of the infection in Peterborough, although people have been seen entering a ‘Coronavirus pod’ at Peterborough City Hospital.
Arthur Mellows Village College in Glinton has decided against closing, despite the pupil having visited a town currently under lockdown in Italy.
In a message to parents, head of college Mike Sandeman said he was aware that parents were “concerned” but that the pupil was “not displaying any of the symptoms of the coronavirus”.
He added: “We have spoken to Public Health England in detail about our situation who have advised us that the school should remain open as usual.”
Meanwhile, Market Deeping Community Primary School has written to parents warning them of a “precautionary measure” it has taken because of a “potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual who has come into contact with children in our school”.
The school added: “Children
in Cubs Reception Class worked with this person during a trip to Forest School on Monday. The individual visited Italy during half-term and has since developed flu-like symptoms.
“Fortunately, the individual acted very swiftly and was isolated and tested for the coronavirus. We anticipate that results should come through within 72 hours.”
The school added that Public Health England national guidance state that “there is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home” while testing is being carried out.
A Peterborough City Council spokesperson, said: “We are aware that one school and one pre-school have closed as a precautionary measure and not because of any confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
“These closures will remain in place until the end of the week and the situation will then be reviewed at that point.
“Individual schools can take the decision to close but we have recommended they seek advice from the NHS before doing this.
“The council will continue to work with all schools to issue advice to ensure education is not disrupted.”
Public Health England is advising that there are things you can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading:
•A•ways carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
Wash your hands often
• with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your
• eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with
• people who are unwell.
•If you are worried about your symptoms or those around you, call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment
For further information visit: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov. uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novelcoronavirus-what-you-needto-know/.