Students asked to isolate after case

SIXTH-FORM students at Pontypridd High have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days after a confirmed coronavirus case at the school.

Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most cases in schools in Wales. It is not known whether the latest case is a pupil or member of staff but so far 12 of the previous 13 cases were among staff.

All Year 12 pupils at Pontypridd High have been asked to self isolate, but the rest of the school remains open.

In a message to families the school said: “We have been advised by Public Health Wales that there is a confirmed case of Covid in our school.

“Following both Welsh Government and local authority guidance, as a precuationary measures, students from Year 12 have been identified as close contacts and asked to selfisolate for a period of 14 days from today (September 11).

“The process of testing and contact tracing is part of the new normal where schools and settings are required to follow the guidance carefully as part of the Test Trace

Protect strategy that Welsh Government has adopted.

“The school remains open for all other students. Please can I reassure you that we will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all guidelines so that we can keep all children and staff safe.

“The health and safety of everyone in our school is of paramount importance and we appreciate your full support during these times.”

Schools across Wales have been reopening in phases in the last two weeks before all are expected to be open full time, to all students from tomorrow.

Welsh Government reopening guidance requires schools to ensure they have plans in place to continue home learning if necessary.

Up to Wednesday a total of 36 cases in 31 of Wales’ 1,569 schools were reported, Public Health Wales confirmed. Most of those cases were among staff. Hundreds of pupils and a number of staff have been told to self-solate as a result.

Since September several more cases in schools have been reported. In Cardiff

Bryn Deri Primary, Ninian

Park Primary and Ty Gwyn special school all reported one case each as did Treorchy Comprehensive. Some pupils and staff at all those schools have been told to self-isolate for 14 days.