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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ted Hennessey & Laura Sharman

Hundred school kids forced to self isolate after one tests positive for Covid-19

One hundred teenage school pupils have been told to self isolate for two weeks after a single student tested positive for coronavirus.

The Staffordshire JCB Academy, which was one of the first schools in England to reopen in August following the Covid-19 pandemic, was closed on Friday.

Students who are believed to have been in contact with the pupil have been urged to stay at home for two weeks.

The school, in Rocester, will reopen on Monday for the remaining 700 students.

The JCB Academy was one of the first schools in England to reopen in August following the coronavirus lockdown (stock photo) (PA)

Principal Jenny McGuirk said the school was closed swiftly on Friday "as a precaution" after the single case.

She added: "The Academy has taken advice from Public Health England and the Staffordshire Covid-19 Response Team to mitigate the risk from this confirmed isolated case.

"Through track and trace, academy staff have worked throughout the day to contact the families of students believed to have been in contact with the individual who has tested positive.

Principal Jenny McGuirk said the school was closed swiftly on Friday "as a precaution" (REUTERS)

"As a result, around one hundred students have now been asked to self-isolate for the next 14 days.

"We have taken swift and decisive action to mitigate any risks and the measures we have taken go above and beyond the advice given to us from Public Health England."

Those who are self-isolating will be able to access learning online, according to the school principal.

The JCB Academy was the first school of its kind in the UK for the education of 13 to 19-year-olds with a core focus on engineering.

It had implemented a range of measures before reopening to safeguard pupils including hand sanitisers outside every classroom, segregated lunch breaks, and the compulsory wearing of masks while moving between rooms.

 
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