South Shields primary school sends children home to isolate after staff member tests positive for Covid-19

Forest View Primary School, in Rembrant Avenue in Whiteleas, has said it acted after the news.

It has not confirmed which classes are affected, how many children are involved or when the pupils will be allowed to return, but its Facebook page states its year 1 and year 2 bubbles would be working from home.

South Tyneside was placed on a Public Health England watchlist, first as an area of concern, before that was stepped up last week to an area of enhanced support.

Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle also on the list due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the region, with further restrictions to be lined up for the area.

When contacted by the Gazette, the school issued a statement through South Tyneside Council.

In it, headteacher Emma Cook said: “We were advised last week that there was a confirmed case of Covid-19 in a member of staff within the school.

“We carried out a full risk assessment and contacted the parents and carers of all children who had been in close contact and advised them to stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days after their last contact.

“We have taken action to prevent the spread of the virus and all other children should continue to attend school.

“I would like to once again reassure parents and carers that we are following Government guidelines, including strict safety measures, and we continue to work closely with the council’s Public Health team and Public Health England.”

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