Schools at centre of new Covid concerns

CHILDREN with any symptoms that might suggest coronavirus should be kept off school as a precaution, education chiefs in the Westcountry are warning.

In a letter sent to parents, Cornwall Council’s director of public health, Rachel Wigglesworth, says delays in getting tests mean parents must follow strict advice to avoid spreading infection.

She writes: “Some children and young people will pick up viruses and other bugs from others and feel unwell, though in most cases this will not be Covid-19.”

But she warns that because it is difficult to rule out coronavirus in children as they generally suffer mild symptoms, children should be kept home as a precaution.

“We understand how frustrating this can be, particularly with children returning to school and being asked to stay off school until they can get a Covid-19 test,” she writes.

“However, it is crucial that we keep our schools open, and continue to keep our children and communities safe.”

The latest advice comes after a headteacher in Bideford sent home an entire year group after a child came into contact with a relative suffering from Covid-19. No one at the school has tested positive for the virus.

In Plymouth, six schools have so far been affected by cases of coronavirus and various groups of children in so-called ‘bubbles’ have been sent home to self-isolate. Yesterday a confirmed case of coronavirus at Axminster Community primary school meant some children must also stay at home.

THE principal of a Devon college has explained why the decision was made to send home an entire year group of students and tell them to self isolate.

Bideford College on Wednesday told Year Nine pupils that they should stay away from the classroom for 14 days.

It comes after a close relative of a student tested positive for coronavirus. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus at the school.

Head teacher Dr Claire Ankers sent a letter to parents explaining the college had acted on the advice of Public Health England (PHE).

In the letter, she said: “I have continued to work throughout the day with Public Health England whose advice has now changed.

“Therefore, in order to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19 to others in the community, we will be asking all students in Year Nine to self-isolate until Friday, September 25.

“This will be 14 days since their last potential point of contact. If your child is well at the end of the 14-day period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities and attend college.”

The Government said reopening schools after lockdown and the summer holidays was the cornerstone of its plan to get the economy moving again.

There are fears that any widespread closure of classrooms could jeopardise those efforts as parents could be forced to stay home and look after their children.

Schools and colleges across the region have worked hard to make sure social distancing guidelines are followed on the premises. Students are being taught in year group ‘bubbles’ to avoid interaction.

In a statement, Dr Ankers said: “I appreciate that this will be an incredibly worrying time for your family and will cause considerable disruption.

“Please contact your child’s tutor if you have any concerns.

“We are committed to continuing the education of our Year Nines from home. The teachers of the subjects they would have on Thursday will set work on class charts and will be available on email during their normal lesson time.”

Dr Ankers offered words of advice to parents and confirmed that the rest of the school remained open.

The head teacher added: “Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14-day selfisolation period.

“For further details, please follow the PHE Staying at Home Guidance. This means that siblings in other year groups should attend college as normal.”

Meanwhile, in Plymouth, a total of six schools have confirmed cases of Covid-19. Tor Bridge High became the sixth school in the city to confirm a positive case yesterday, but, because the student had not been in school “during the infectious period,” the school did not find it necessary to send the student’s ‘bubble’ home.

Every sixth form student at Plymouth High School for Girls was asked to self-isolate after a student tested positive. At Eggbuckland Community College, a Year Eight pupil tested positive, as did a pupil at pupil at Austin Farm Academy, a primary school that is part of the Eggbuckland Community College Multi-Academy Trust.

Children in Year Five at Leigham Primary School were asked to isolate after a pupil received a positive Covid-19 test result and, at the private Plymouth College, in Ford Park, staff confirmed one Year 11 day pupil received a positive test result.