Schools in Wales hit by cases of Covid-19
SEVERAL schools across Wales have been hit by coronavirus just days after children went back to the classroom.
Pupils were able to return to school from September, after they were forced to close in March.
But in recent days, dozens of cases have been reported across the country forcing hundreds of children to self-isolate.
It comes as Caerphilly enters a local lockdown with cases continuing to rise across Wales.
These are all the schools in Wales, as of yesterday afternoon that have been hit by coronavirus:
Bryntirion Comprehensive
More than 200 pupils at the school in Bridgend have been asked to selfisolate for 14 days following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case at the school.
The pupils, who are in year seven, have all been identified as having had potential contact with the person who has tested positive. Three staff at the school have also been affected. With a deep clean of the school premises underway, they have been asked to remain at home as a precautionary measure in order to reduce the possible spread of the virus to family, friends and the wider community.
St Gwladys Primary School Pupils in one class at the school in Bargoed were asked to self-isolate for two weeks after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
On September 6 a spokesman for Caerphilly Local Education Authority confirmed that a member of staff at St Gwladys Primary School in Bargoed had tested positive.
He said, that following advice from Public Health Wales, that 21 pupils from one class will be required to selfisolate for 14 days.
Bedwas Infants School
One class at the school have also been advised to self-isolate after one pupil tested positive for the virus.
In a note sent to parents on Sunday, the school said: “A pupil has tested positive for coronavirus and we therefore need to follow strict public health protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of the whole school community.”
Ysgol Bro Edern
A total of 30 children at Ysgol Bro Edern in Cardiff have to isolate for two weeks after a case was confirmed.
The year seven pupils have been identified as contacts of the confirmed case at the school and have been asked to remain at home in order to reduce the possible spread of the virus. Cardiff council said an “enhanced clean” has been carried out on areas of the Penylan school used by the class.
Roath Park Primary School
Cardiff council said 60 pupils at Roath Park Primary School have been asked to isolate for two-weeks following confirmation of a case. It’s the latest school across Wales to be impacted by the virus.
The year six pupils have been identified as “close contacts” of the case.
An enhanced clean will be carried out today (September 8) on areas of the school used by the year group.
Cymmer Primary School
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant, posted on his official Facebook page to say that it was one of two schools in his constituency that were taking precautions following concerns over coronavirus cases.
Mr Bryant posted to say: “I understand Cymmer Primary School have contacted relevant parents and carers regarding a positive case at the school.”
Pontygwaith Primary School
The second school Mr Bryant posted about was Pontygwaith Primary School.
In a separate post he added: “Parents and carers at Pontygwaith Primary School have received a message on class dojo regarding the need for certain classes to self-isolate.
“Once again I’d like to thank the staff at Pontygwaith for ensuring the correct procedures have been followed, with a deep clean scheduled and track and trace working effectively.”
Dinas Powys Primary School
An entire year at a school in Dinas Powys has been asked to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus. The positive case at Dinas Powys Primary School was confirmed by Test, Trace and Protect.
It means that all Year 6 pupils, as well as the teaching staff for that year group, will be off school for at least 14 days.
Cwmnedd Primary School
On September 7 it was confirmed one pupil at Cwmnedd Primary School, Glynneath, has tested positive.
Seven other pupils and three members of staff have been told to self-isolate for 14 days.
Parents of the children concerned have been contacted and advised of the appropriate process to follow.
Coedffranc Primary School
A member of staff at Coedffranc Primary School, which is around 12 miles away from Cwmnedd, also tested positive. The staff member attended the school last Thursday, September 3, when no pupils were present at the time. Three other members of staff at that school are currently isolating.
Ysgol y Dderwen
Parents at Ysgol y Dderwen in Carmarthenshire were made aware of a positive test at the school on Friday afternoon. One of the biggest primary schools in the Carmarthen area, it said that no pupils had been in contact with the staff member affected since returning to school this week.
Maesteg School
On September 4 it was confirmed a senior member of staff at Maesteg School has tested positive for coronavirus.
No pupils at the school were affected, the school has been cleaned and will open as planned for the start of the new term next week.
Five other members of staff have been advised to self-isolate as a precaution.
Ysgol Bryn Castell
The first confirmed case in a member of staff at a school in Wales this term was at Ysgol Bryn Castell.
As a result the start of term was delayed for all pupils in the key GCSE years 10 and 11 at Ysgol Bryn Castell and 17 members of staff must self-isolate for a fortnight.
Although staff at the special school have been back for the start of term this week pupils were not due in until Monday, September 7, a Bridgend council spokesman said previously.
The rest of the school pupils and staff will go in as planned on September 7 but those in years 10 and 11 will have to carry on learning from home remotely.
Aberdare Community School, Gelli Primary and Ysgol Evan James
The council has confirmed it is aware that a small number of school staff have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days in these three different schools.
In a statement, RCT Council said: “Test, trace and protect teams are working with those affected and contacting those people who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive. Public Health Wales is working with the local authority to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to ensure safety within school communities.
“All schools with confirmed cases are deep cleaned to minimise risks in affected areas and strict preventative controls will continue to be operated.”
Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School
Bridgend Council said yesterday that one member of staff had tested positive at the school and is self-isolating.
No pupils or other staff are affected.
Pencoed Primary School
One year six pupil at the school has tested positive, Bridgend Council confirmed yesterday.
They added seven pupils and two members of staff are self-isolating.
As of yesterday, the following councils said no schools in their local authority had been impacted by a casE – Newport council, Flintshire council, Blaenau Gwent council, Conwy council, Merthyr Tydfil council.
All other local authorities were approached for comment, but had not responded by the time of publication.