Two staff are seriously ill in hospital and several others are ‘very unwell’ after an outbreak of Covid-19 at a Salford primary school.
The acting headteacher at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, in Seedley, Salford, and another staff member are both said to be “seriously unwell in hospital”.
The school has reported that a number of other staff have also tested positive for the virus, and became “very unwell” over the Christmas break and are “too unwell to return to work”.
Headteacher Clare Baron warned of a difficult term ahead as she shared details of the ongoing situation in a letter to parents - which was also posted on the school’s Facebook page on Friday (January 1).
The head also wrote about ‘stringent’ new measures in place at the school to try and prevent another outbreak, including working from home and online learning, bubbles and mask wearing.
“As you know many members of staff tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of the term,” it states.
“Unfortunately, a number of staff have, over the Christmas period, become very unwell and there are currently two members of staff seriously unwell in hospital.
“We ask that you please keep them in your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
“Many staff who contracted the virus are too unwell to return to work, leaving us very short staffed.
“It has been an extremely difficult Christmas for the staff at Holy Family and for many of us it has highlighted exactly how dangerous this virus can be.
"How easily it can be spread and how young, fit, healthy adults can develop COVID pneumonia and blood clots on the lung as a result of the infection. We ask that you please take this virus seriously and follow the rules.
“Particularly as experts predict an imminent increase in cases because of Christmas day mixing and there is now a new variant of the virus that transmits more rapidly.
“The start of the Spring term is, unfortunately going to be a difficult one.”
Many children were due to return to class today following the Christmas holidays.
But thousands of primary pupils across Greater Manchester remained at home today as many schools stayed closed.
Unions advised teachers that have the 'legal right' not to turn up for work due to health and safety concerns in light of rising coronavirus cases.
As such, a number of schools across the region were short staffed and therefore unable to open safely.
The Prime Minister is facing mounting pressure to introduce stricter measures nationwide and has been warned not to delay an announcement.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for a full national lockdown to include the closure of schools.
