Schools wait on coronavirus test
Suspected case brings one day closure at two sites
Two schools in Bath that closed amid coronavirus fears have reopened, but the test results for the potentially infected individual are unknown.
Moorlands Junior and Infant Schools, off Moorfields Road, were shut on Friday (February 28) after acting headteacher, Warrick Barton, said someone in the school community had developed symptoms indicative of the virus.
In a letter to parents and carers, he said this individual had returned from a ‘Category 2 area’ (coronavirus-affected countries like northern Italy, Japan or Vietnam) within the past two weeks.
Mr Barton made the precautionary measure to shut the schools but they were both open again on Monday (March 2).
An announcement on the school’s website reads: “We are pleased to announce that both schools will reopen from tomorrow.
“Further details have been emailed to parents. Thanks very much, Warrick Barton, Acting Executive Headteacher.”
First Steps Bath, part of a national community nursery, was also open.
A staff member said the nursery, on Moorfields Road, did not shut on Friday, like the other schools.
Its Facebook post outlined when the test results for the individual who may have the virus will be released. It reads: “First Steps Moorlands will be open tomorrow, Monday 2nd March.
“You may be aware that there has been a suspected case of COVID-19 at Moorlands School, they are awaiting test results.
“These will now not be available until Thursday.
“Please be assured that we are following advice from Public Health England and our staff have gone the extra mile with additional cleaning at all our sites.
“We understand how difficult this is for everyone concerned, we are taking advice and following guidelines as the position unfolds.”
Public Health England has advised against schools closing but recommends the cleaning of specific areas while test results for the virus are ongoing.
Mr Barton’s letter on Thursday (February 27) reads: “Dear Parents and Carers,
“Please accept my apologies for this necessarily late email, which has come as a result of extended consultation with a number of authorities this evening.
“Following on from my email on Tuesday about the coronavirus, I need to let you know that a member of the school community who has been to a Category 2 area within the last 14 days has developed some symptoms that could indicate that they have the virus.
“I should stress that it remains unlikely that they will test positively for the virus, but all Public Health advice has been followed, and as a precaution the person is being tested this evening.
“I am grateful to this person for having correctly followed all the advice at every stage.
“The public health advice in this situation is this:
“No restrictions or special control measures are required while laboratory test results for COVID-19 are awaited.
“There is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home.
“As a precautionary measure, the NHS are currently testing a very large number of people who have travelled back from affected countries, the vast majority of whom test negative.
“Therefore, until the outcome of test results is known there is no action that staff members need to take apart from cleaning specific areas ... and disposing of waste.
“HOWEVER, I have had to take a difficult decision in the light of this advice.
“While on the one hand it says “there is no need to close the setting”, on the other it says that action in terms of cleaning is necessary.
“Given the timing of me receiving the information, it will not be possible to adequately clean a site as large as Moorlands in time for the school to open in the morning.
“BOTH THE INFANT SCHOOL AND JUNIOR SCHOOL WILL THEREFORE BE CLOSED TOMORROW, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27.
“I appreciate that this may well cause lots of you difficulties with childcare tomorrow.
“I hope that you will understand that I have taken this decision with children’s health as the first priority, as well as the health of the whole school community.
“This is very much a precautionary measure, but one that puts children first.
“I should stress again that the risk to our community remains very low.
“If you do have any concerns about yourself or a member of your family, please just follow the advice found here:https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.
“We will be making arrangements for cleaning tomorrow, as a precaution, and in all likelihood will be able to open the schools again on Monday morning as normal.”
It added: “Please accept my apologies for the disruption this will cause you. I look forward to us getting back to normal as soon as possible.