Two Herefordshire schools will remain closed into next week after further cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.
COVID-19 cases at schools in Shobdon and Luston update 17 March 2021:
From Herefordshire’s Director of Public Health Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones:
“We’d like to thank all staff, parents and children who have taken up the offer of testing. There has been a great response and take up. This has been really important in helping us understand the spread of infection through the schools and pre-schools and inform the action required.”
- Shobdon Primary School
We have received all the results from mass testing and parents should have received these results. A very small number of further cases have been identified through symptomatic individuals being tested and mass testing for those without symptoms. Those children who have been identified as close contacts of a case have been
informed and are required to continue to self-isolate even if tested negative. Not all children are required to self-isolate. The school will, however, remain closed until 23rd March. - Shobdon Arches Preschool
All children and staff identified as close contacts have been asked to self-isolate. Testing was offered through the national testing programme and parents encouraged to order a home PCR test. Due to the proportion of cases in preschool, we did not encourage them to attend mass testing at school last weekend as all were isolating as contacts. Even if testing negative using a home test, those who have been asked to self-isolate will need to continue to self-isolate. The nursery will remain closed until at least 23rd March pending a decision around affected staff being able to return to work. - Luston Primary School
We have received the results from the mass testing and parents should have received these results. Further cases have been identified through mass testing impacting some but not all Key Stage Two classes. Those children who have been identified as close contacts of a case have been informed and are required to continue to self-isolate even if tested negative. Not all children are required to self-isolate. - The school will, however, remain closed until 26th March due to the need for staff members to self-isolate and the need for some children to isolate at home – impacting on parents and therefore staff availability across all year groups.”
A post on the Luston and Shobdon Academy Website said:
Shobdon Families:
All Shobdon Primary School families will have received an email today (Wednesday 17th March) stating that the school will reopen on Tuesday 23rd March. Please follow the guidance stated in the letter.
Luston Families:
All Luston Primary School families will have received an email or text today (Wednesday 17th March) stating that the school will reopen on Friday 26th March. Please follow the guidance stated in the letter.
DURING THE PERIOD OF SCHOOL CLOSURE, LEARNING FOR ALL PUPILS WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM OF SEESAW OR TAPESTRY
