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Four more Bristol schools have confirmed cases of Covid-19
Pupils from across Bristol are self-isolating following further confirmed cases of coronavirus in schools.
The council’s director of public health has sought to reassure communities that while the incidents are disruptive for those affected, the numbers remain low compared to the thousands of children who have returned to classrooms across the city.
The four new schools to have confirmed cases this week are:
is needed now More than ever
- Elmfield School for Deaf Children in Westbury-on-Trym, which has one confirmed case and 19 students self-isolating;
- Compass Point Primary School in Bedminster, which has one confirmed case and 29 children and three staff self-isolating.
- Clifton College in Clifton, which has one confirmed case and 35 pupils self-isolating.
- Bristol Brunel Academy in Speedwell, which has one confirmed case and all students in year eight self-isolating.
There were also confirmed cases in Two Mile Hill Primary, Shirehampton Primary School and John Williams Oasis Academy in Hengrove last week.
All schools are following Public Health England (PHE) guidance and have asked students and teaching staff who have come into close contact with the infected pupils to self-isolate at home for 14 days. Bristol City Council says it is working with the schools and PHE to make sure that all students, families and school staff are supported.
Christina Gray, Bristol City Council’s director of public health said: “Please be reassured that while this is disruptive for children at the affected schools, the number of cases is still very small number compared to the thousands of children attending schools across the city. Well done to parents and teachers for acting swiftly as this helps stop the virus spreading to other children.
“NHS Test and Trace continues to operate in the South West but there are currently significant demands on the system. If anyone is struggling to make an appointment and thinks they or their child has Covid-19 symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and continue to try and book an appointment for a test. The symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of taste or smell.
“This week, new rules came into place reducing the number of people that can meet inside and outside their home to groups of six. Most cases that have been confirmed in schools will be from children who have mixed with friends and family that they don’t live with. Therefore, it’s really important we follow this new guidance, and also remember to regularly wash hands, cover our faces when needed, and stay two metres away from others.”
Main photo courtesy of Clifton College
Read more: Students in three Bristol schools test positive for coronavirus
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